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non-aggressive native vines

17 years ago

I once again need your expertees... I need a native vine that will take part sun, will NOT be aggressive, and does not need a trellis. I have a beautiful Wissahickon schist retaining wall at the front of my property and would like a vine that will cling to the wall in a small area, and will NOT go out of bounds (I don't want to cover the entire wall--- it is a gorgeous wall... Wissahickon schist is a combo of garnet, quartz, feldspar, and mica...). I have never known a non-aggressive vine... LOL!!

Jenny

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Comments (2)

janet_e
17 years ago
There's our native climbing hydrangea -- Decumaria barbara. It isn't as showy as the Asian climbing hydrangea, but it's still pretty handsome. My garden encyclopedia lists its size as 30 feet, but it grows fairly slowly, so pruning should be a practical way to keep it in bounds.

You say 'no trellis', but would you consider using strings or wires for a twining climber or one with tendrils? That would give you a lot more options, like Passiflora incarnata, Celastrus scandens, Lonicera sempervirens, or maybe one of the native Clematis. If the vine has to cling to the stone on its own, then Decumaria may be the only option.

Here is a link that might be useful:
cydonia33
Original Author
17 years ago
Janet,

Thank you, thank you, thank you... That is a perfect vine! I am not looking for anything with showy flowers--- just a little green to soften the wall a bit... And I'm sure she will have it at the native nusery I go to!

Jenny
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