One of my garden mantras is “Never ever plant ivy.”
I may have to add another vine in there.
I love my Creeping Fig, Ficus pumila.
The first year here, it seemed to be sleeping.
Last year it began creeping over the wall.
This year it has leaped onto pots and statuary.
I took these two photos seven days apart.
I still love this vine, but too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
Flow
This is Bleeding Heart vine, Clereodendron thomasoniae. It is also called Glorybower.
It is one of my favorite vines.
I cut it back and feed it in early spring.
Then all it needs is sun and water.
Take cuttings to share with friends. These root easily in water.
It grows up its trellis and blooms all summer long.
My heart loves this Bleeding Heart vine.
Flower loves her Glorybower.
This Jackman Clematis should have five petals.
Petal numbers mean things in botany.
So when my clematis pulls the old switcheroo, I get a bit miffed.
Many blooms have four petals.
Some even have six petals.
I guess the Flower is going to have to go with the flow when it comes to this vine.
It’s beautiful, no matter the number.
Flow
This Creeping Fig vine ( Ficus pumila) has kept growing through the winter.
My guess is that the block wall has kept it warm.
It is hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
I am happy to see its new copper-colored leaves in February.
I love this little creeper.
Flower
Saving my Passions involves some risky behavior.
I must climb a ladder with scissors in my hand. Twice.
The first trim occurs back in early fall. I cut off the side shoots.
I then streamline the vines down to three or four main stems.
The first trim prevents the vines from getting shocked all at once and makes the second trim easier.
Then I climb back up again, about a month later, to cut them down from the trellises.
I usually leave about one third of the plant in place.
I wrap this lower portion into a wreath-like ring and secure it to a short trellis in the pot.
I use garland hooks from craft stores to hold vines onto the trellis. These can be moved and removed easily.
I then wheel my potted vines into my sunny workshop to spend the winter with all my other precious plants.
It’s a jungle in there!
The trimmed pieces may be cut up into cuttings to produce new Passion vine plants for my friends.
I keep a request list. Newly rooted plants will be given away in the spring.
The bunnies helped out by hiding under the Turk’s Cap plant.
They know mama on a ladder with scissors is something to be afraid of.
FLOWER
Florence has left us.
I feel such gratefulness that we ourselves were spared
the devastation experienced by so many others.
The sunshine is a welcome sight after days of darkness.
I must admit, I did not stay inside during the deluge.
This should not come as a surprise to my readers.
Over and over again I strode into the storm to check plants and ditches,
necessary for my sanity if for no other reason.
I am happy to report
the banana forest is still upright
the vines are still clinging
and way up in a tree
a certain nest is still intact.
Way to go Mama Squirrel!
FLOWER
I thought I would like this trellis up here on the library deck.
I wanted to be able to see the bright red blooms from my desk.
I might have to put a “dummy pot” on the stand under it.
Where is the real pot?
Way down below at the base of the column.
This vine stretches out its springy tendrils and grows like crazy.
My Red Passion vine is one of my favorites.
FLOWER
If you don’t own a private jet, you can still go to Italy on Sundays…
sort of.
Raffaldini Vineyard is a great place to pretend that you are in an Italian vineyard.
The view is spectacular.
The wine is delicious.
The pizza is from a brick oven, albeit a small one, on wheels.
It is a lovely place to spend a quiet afternoon.
Even if it is raining.
We love Raffaldini’s.
FLORA
I love vines, as you probably know by now.
By the end of July they have reached the top of their trellises.
They are finally starting to produce flowers.
Two of my favorites are putting on a show this week.
The hybrid Passion vine is opening several flowers each day.
I had to get on a ladder to get these shots.
Notice the pollen underneath the stamen paddles.
This vine only made one fruit last year with no seeds inside.
My Moon vine has produced its first two blooms this week.
I missed the first, but caught this one closing this morning.
More blooms ahead.
FLOW
floweralley 