Container Vines Honeysuckle or Wisteria

16 years ago

I have an extremely large, raised deck above which I have installed a pergola (pretty much four posts with a slatted roof) over half of it. What I would like to do is attatch maybe trellis or something similar and grow vines across it for natural, beautiful screening.

However, I have never grown a vine... on purpose. Oh, sure, there's some honeysuckle seperating our house from our neighbor's house but that was on accident and I don't take care of it.

(I live on Johns Island in South Carolina, the vine will be in full sun in a wooden container built to suit.)

So, I was looking at Goldflame Honeysuckle or Japanese Wisteria. They both look like they provide good coverage both while in bloom and when they are "dead" in the winter. However, I haven't the foggiest idea if they will survive in a container or what special measures I should take. I went down to my local nursery and they recommended I get a nice climbing rose. I don't want a climbing rose. I want honeysuckle!

Please help!

How wide/deep should the containers be, should I line it with something special so the seeds don't fall under my deck and start growing? Will I even be able to prevent the vines from growing under my deck? Do I fertilize it? What goes good with it?

I appreciate all the help!

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Comments (3)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
16 years ago
What most folks don't realize is that vine that produces a lot of top growth - like a wisteria or honeysuckle - also develops a very large, spreading root system to support that top growth. So these types of vines make less than ideal container subjects. If you have a very large container, like a 1/2 whiskey barrel, you can get by with growing them in a container for a period of time, but you will not get the same type of robust growth and performance a similar vine would produce in the ground with an unobstructed root run.

I'd reconsider my choices and think about something like a clematis - there are many varieties that are smaller growing and not as rampant as either the honeysuckle or wisteria and make much better container subjects. Even the climbing rose is a better choice.
filix
16 years ago
Could you grow your vine on the ground and train it up to your deck? If you you have to use containers, like gardengal said "and she knows her stuff" clematis are very beautiful. I have clematis and wisteria and honeysuckle. But in large wood containers I grow annuals, like moonvine,morning glory, and cup and saucer vine. My cup and saucer vine in about 4 months grew 40ft. Very lush screen with beautiful blooms. Then you could just leave the vines up until next spring. you have to wait years to get that kind of growth with perennials. filix
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I grow two different varieties and sizes of Honeysuckle in containers for two years now on my East-facing balcony, and they grow great in containers. They are low maintenance and no overwinter is required in USDA zone 8, but LJ-Halliana may need some sprucing up and picking off the unsightly brown dead leaves from time to time since it can be a fast-growing vine (but the fragrance and lasting blossoms make the brief chore worth it). The smaller of the two purchased in 1 gal size (Purpurea), I potted in a 3-4 gal (11"x11") pot against the balcony. I don't plan to pot up for another year or two probably by the rate of its growth so far. The larger Lonicera Japonica (Halliana), which is considered invasive in many regions of the US, I have it potted in a 5 gal pot with a central wooden stake and several bamboo staking that I added on on a as needed basis. I was going to get a tall lattice and have it grow over the wall or the sliding door but got a little lazy and unsure about making major changes and the reorganization with the possibility of growing a bloomless Lonicera with increased shade and with all the unending garden chores and priorities, so I didn't act. I can't remember the original purchase size, but it was bigger and more mature than the Purpurea. I may repot this happy low key 5-gal L.J. Halliana next year.

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