It has NEVER suckered for me. Maybe some people are reffering to Honeysuckle vine, which is a MAJOR thug and actually does sucker from the roots. It's not really a vine either, it's more of a sprawling shrub. Here's my experience with them. They have extensive root systems, that run along the surface. They do send out vine-like new growth in the spring or when watered too much, and that new growth is the one that crawls on the ground and could root if it gets enough moisture (which has never been a problem for me because they are watered with a drip irrigation system). I have several that i have trained into multi-trunked shrubs and i prune them to keep them compact. Another key element for keeping them compact and flowering more densly is to restrict water. The more stressed they are (to an extent) the heavier they flower. Another plus is that they attract hoardes of hummingbirds and bloom in the wintertime when little else is in bloom. Mine bloom all through winter unless we have a severe freeze like the one in 2007, when they froze the ground but came back from the roots. Here's a picture of one of my shrubs (which needs a little trimming). The picture is from the beginning of December and the plant was planted a year ago from a one gallon container. And hummingbirds can't resist these flower

Hey TomCath, I love the irrigation system. I thought that Drip Depot had been recommended by someone on here, but may be wrong. It saves me hours and hours. It is true, that I had some problems with Y faucet splitters, the main feed popping off, and little feeds popping off. I only turn it on when I'm home. But I've now found that we have a faucet in the pool cage that is attached to a well. Who knew? I don't mind setting up the irrigation system to run once a week when I'm not here if it's attached to a well. If there is a failure, town water would get a bit expensive, and people do come in twice a week to check on the house. (I am unwilling to leave the house water on when I go north, even for a weekend. Our house is from the 50's and has fussy plumbing.) Anna, I am so not worthy. I dream of the amazing plants you have chosen, all the texture and foliage colors. Your gardens are spectacular. Garf, I guess we newbies are nuts for bananas and tropicals. And some of the bananas that got chopped down last year after the freeze, have indeed come back. The big one in the Bromeliad area was here when we moved to the house. The leaves are so darn beautiful. The others we'll have to see. Dirty, I'm going to cut back the Cape Honeysuckle as soon as my back recovers. I'll take 1/3 down low so there are still blooms for the bees and the butterflies. It is really in the wrong place for healthy citrus. Randy, my family are crazy for epiphytes. So finding the orchid cactus was a true gift. Can you believe a landscaper said we should kill it? Next landscaper, please! Other Carol B and Zacky, the Porterweed is purple. I put in two plants, and have not seen any offspring in two years. Sylvia, we harvested the kale for Thanksgiving. I tossed it in hot pepper and garlic flavored oil in a very hot wok until it wilted and softened somewhat. Then I put Parmesan cheese, toasted pignoli nuts, and lemon juice on top. I almost felt like Sylvia! Carol B. in Sarasota with an ice pack. No gardening for a week.

I am sceptical, I'm afraid. Tecoma capensis is a vigorous perennial which grows into a pretty large vine. A couple of them would fill that whole bed if I have understood the scale right. I don't see how a planter attached to the fence could supply sufficient growing medium and nutrients for it. Plus it would have to be watered constantly. It could even bring a wooden fence down I should think. Is there a reason you can't plant them at the bottom of the fence and let them grow up, from where they will then hang down?

It does look better now, but I did not know it was invasive in ukiah, I assume the cold winter will keep it check, but I am very hands on with my garden, so I will watch out of it getting too big. The hummingbirds love it and it does not get any insects or fungals.