| I have a 8' raised deck to which we are adding a trellis and roof. I would like to start a vine to cover the trellis. Should I plant a perennial vine in the gound and hope it will climb the 8' to the deck, and from there to the trellis and roof? Or would it be better to plant a vine in a pot on the deck and have that cover the trellis? What type of vine do you suggest? The deck is on the east side of the house with no shade trees. |
| Good question! There are some really vigorous vines that could grow up right from the ground -- for example, Dutchman's pipe (Aristolochia durior) will grow vines up to 30' long! This perennial vine has insignificant flowers, however. Climbing hydrangea is another possibility, with vines up to 50' long. This perennial vine has cluster of white flowers. Both these vines would do well with just morning sun. I suggest you plant a perennial vine in the ground, then plant some bright annuals in a container on the deck. That way, you'll have some flowers this year, and you can decide in the future if you want to continue with the annual vines for color. Hope this helps. |
