Grow plants up rather than down

We all like a certain amount of privacy, but with close neighbors, this is a challenge. Using plants that climb can shelter decks, balconies and patios from prying eyes plus add beauty and bounty simultaneously.

Fruits and vegetables kept up in the air and off the soil have less disease than those left on the ground. They are also easier to clean. Breezes reach climbing plants easier, drying them off and thereby preventing disease.

Vines and climbing plants can be used to shield eyesores from view. We all have some of these around: propane tanks, garbage cans, septic pipes or run-down sheds. What would you like to hide from your neighbors? Lush, thickly growing vines can help.

Vertically growing plants create an attractive background for shorter plants. What’s lovelier than a wall of fragrant sweet peas or roses reaching up an arbor? Think of ways that your garden can be enhanced by a screen of morning glories or one of my favorites, scarlet runner beans. What’s even better is that many of these can be direct-seeded and yet reach mature height in just a few weeks.

The first category of vertically growing plants to consider is hardy perennials. Topping my list is Dropmore scarlet honeysuckle vine. Bees and hummingbirds are drawn to the red-orange tubular flowers that cover the vine in mid-summer. It thrives in partial shade, grows quickly and needs a solid fence for support.

Clematis are popular, mostly for their large colorful blossoms. Purple Jackmanii is hardy in our north country because it blooms on new wood. Prune it back to eight to 12 inches, to a pair of strong-looking buds, in the spring. Be sure to check labels when purchasing clematis, as not all will survive our cold winters. Clematis need full sun to thrive, but at the same time, like cool feet. Achieve this with mulch or under plantings such as alyssum. At planting time, dig a large hole and backfill it with compost and topsoil before setting in the plant, as clematis have a big appetite.

William Baffin with its brilliant pink flowers is one of the hardiest climbing roses. Growing vigorously six to seven feet, it will cover a large trellis or arbor. Remember that the arching canes need to be trained and tied, as they do not wind around supports on their own.

Virginia creeper, also called woodbine, is called a weed in our neighborhood, but nothing beats this native vine for vigor and gorgeous red fall color.

The flower of perennial sweet peas is not as large or fragrant as the annual vine of the same name, but once established, the plant grows easily on fences and trellises.

Although the hops vine is listed as a zone five plant, a local gardener/brewer claims the variety “Cascade” is hardy in some areas of our zone three. Hops prefers a sunny location and requires sturdy support. The dark green, deeply lobed leaves make hops an attractive ornamental screen. Each year they die back to the crown in the winter.

Lucky for you if native wild grapes grow on your property. They make the best jelly in the world. King of the North and Swenson Red are reliable hardy tame varieties that produce heavily. When my husband’s wine grapes are growing well, I’ll write another article just about them.

Annual vines will be featured next month. Look for information about horticulture on the University of Minnesota Extension Home and Garden Information  page www.extension.umn.edu/gardeninfo or on the Beltrami Master Gardener site beltramicountymastergardeners.org. The local Master Gardener horticultural assistance voice mail will again be taking calls so call 444-7916 with your question.