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California Gardening

What to plant up the sides of a shade structure?

13 years ago

Hi everyone - I have the luxury of starting fresh on the backyard - we cleared -everything- out. My husband has built a very large redwood shade structure with 6x6 posts.

I've been thinking about what kind of tall narrow tree to plant up against the posts or maybe even a vine.

Here's the challenge: The tree/vine may not reach any higher than 8'6" to the top of the post because the horizontal top of the shade structure will be covered in solar panels. And solar panels don't work if they're even partially covered in shade.

Our soil is fairly neutral ph clay, which I am working hard to amend. Three of the 6 posts are always in semi-shade, 3 of the posts are always in full sun. I'm most interested in something edible - was thinking columnar apple trees, maybe a fruiting vine, although keeping it strictly vertical without letting it splay across the top of the structure would be tricky. But perhaps a simple climbing rose might be my best bet? As we have small children I prefer something non-poisonous and not-thorny, but my kids are old enough to respect garden rules. Something water-thrifty would be a very nice bonus.

We are located close to San Jose, which means pretty intensely hot dry summers, very little wind, mild winter temps - just a handful of nights down in the 30s. No problem with deer as we are urban.

Thanks in advance, everyone

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Comments (4)

davissue_zone9
13 years ago
Too bad about the solar panels, you have the perfect set-up for wisteria, kiwi, and grapes, but they will quickly cover the panels. I'm thinking the sunny side would be perfect for one of my favorite roses- Graham Stuart Thomas. This is not technically a climber, but in California reaches about 8 feet if happy. It has been disease free and continuous blooming all summer long for me in the central valley. Some of the smaller climbers would work as well, two of my favorites are Altissimo, and Don Juan, both dark red. A small vine that tolerates some shade is Sollya heterophylla, an evergreen with true-blue bell shape flowers all summer. And there's always star jasmine...

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:540210}}
renataka
Original Author
13 years ago
An 8' tall rose - woah! Yes, roses might be nice - with a yard full of edibles I'd better have something for the bees. Thank you for the suggestions - that bluebell creeper looks really interesting too!
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Thank you for the suggestions everyone. I love those little Lily of the Valleys, I have to get me some of those. I guess it is too late in the season to have them bloom THIS year, but I can always get ready for next year. Derek... I did check out your valley nursery and it was very nice. They had some 'all blue' seed potatoes, so I am going to try those and see what happens. I did plant some Jacob's Ladder, Lupine and Foxglove, but I planted those on the east side of the house. I hope that they will do well there. They get a few hours of sun in the morning, but none in the afternoon. My house sits on a quarter acre, but there is another quarter acre that is kitty-corner behind my house with NOTHING planted in it yet. We are talking about putting in a sprinkling system back there, but so far there is nothing. It gets mostly full sun and I'm not sure what to do with all that space! It's a little overwhelming, so I'm just sticking to the front 1/4 acre for now! I need to look up some of these plants that were mentioned since I'm not familiar with all of them, but I'll do my homework and start planting! Thanks all! =] any other ideas?
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hosenemesis
13 years ago
How about brugmansia? The scent is heavenly, they flower abundantly, and I think they are pretty. I find them very easy to contain, and mine grow in sun and shade. They do die back of frost, though- but shoot right back up again. Unfortunately, they are poisonous.

Could you espalier pineapple guava? It's a pretty plant. I have seen them in both shade and sun. I think they are delicious.

Renee
renataka
Original Author
13 years ago
Brugmansias are gorgeous, you're right. Too toxic, though, I'm afraid.
Pineapple guavas are great, aren't they? I have a spot for a couple bushes on the other side of the garden, but wouldn't complain of a few more. Espaliering is a good idea - perhaps I could espalier a couple of different fruit trees....hmmmm!

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