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Need Native vine that will grow anywhere

15 years ago

The former owners of my home put a one foot retaining wall around a group of 6 oaks. They planted several gardenias and camellias in there that just sit there not growing any with an occasional bloom. We planned to dig this out, put in good soil ,etc--but we have decided it's more than we are able to do. Nothing but roots and not much dirt. I am looking for a native vine that would be a good ground cover and it would be ok if it climbed the trees also. At our previous home, we had ivy growing up a huge tree and the birds loved it. They even roosted in it at night by the hundreds (it seemed). Of course, I know better now and do not want any ivy. I'm thinking there must be a vine out there that would grow in "bad soil" and never know the difference. This would be on the east side of my house and would get morning sun. Any help would be appreciated.

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Comments (8)

john_mo
15 years ago
Virginia creeper is a good native choice. It will spread along the ground and climb your oak trees. It prefers sun but will grow in shade. Poor soil shouldn't be a problem. Nice red fall color.
greenjewels
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you, John. I think that's one that has berries for the birds. I didn't know if it was picky about soil. Thanks to your suggestion I found a picture of it. The red leaves are beautiful. I'm gonna give it a shot!
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It will be easier for me, and hopefully for you, to show some pictures of the area. I took out some plants between the salvia greggii and blue mist in the bottom middle of this photo: That photo was taken at 4pm and by 5pm the area in question was in total sun. Hot, afternoon sun. But from about 9am until 5pm, it's in shade. I got a break and took the next picture while the sun was behind a cloud. Same garden from the other direction: bostedo, good question. I'd like it to be about 3 to 3-1/2 feet tall, just enough to make it interesting, and contrasting foliage would be nice too. I don't want everything the same height or the same leaf type. I had a gaura lindheimeri there but I think it must have been too wet for it. I have some gaura, probably prairie bee blossom, but it grows in a very dry part of my yard so I don't know how it would do there either. I have to water the salvia greggii at least once a week to keep the leaves from folding. But you have given me a thought. I have some gulf muhly that I need to move. But I have it in full sun now. I don't know how it would like so much shade. I also have some twistleaf yucca, but again, I don't know how it will like that much shade and moisture. I was planning to put it out by the street. Perylene, I'm afraid turk's cap and beautyberry would get too tall in this location. I wish Hot lips salvia was native; I've always liked it. I have a salvia azurea a little further down from this spot. I just bought it this summer so it hasn't gotten big or weedy. yet. If I like it there, I'll let it spread. So far, it seems to like that area. p.s. I also thought of little bluestem, but I was afraid it might look too weedy and be too aggressive there. This post was edited by marti8a on Fri, Sep 5, 14 at 18:47
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cev1
15 years ago
Try also Decumaria barbara, which can form a solid mat like ivy and will climb your trees. I have a 4'x4' patch from a small cutting three years ago, so I won't say it fills in as fast as virginia creeper.

CV
fatamorgana2121
15 years ago
Virginia Creeper picky about anything? Hardly! It sometimes ends up being a pest plant for us. It is, however, an absolutely beautiful vine with dark berries and scarlet fall foliage but it is very tolerant and hardy even when I try ripping it out roots and all. Even the summer foliage with the 5 leaves is beautiful but be sure of where you put it because it will always be yours once you plant it.

Here's a interesting tidbit for you, I've read that american ginseng will sometimes hide in amongst virginia creeper. It's like hiding a tree in the forest, no one will ever see it!

FataMorgana
greenjewels
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks everyone. I don't usually like plants that become "pests" but in this case I think V. Creeper is just what the doctor ordered. Also, the climbing hydrangea might work on my fence. Don't know if it's true but in reading about it, I found it blooms only if it grows vertically so I would want that climbing up my fence. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to help!
greenjewels
Original Author
15 years ago
Just an afterthought---I think I'm sold on the idea of Virginia Creeper but just wondering how Crossvine compares. Thought I should compare before making a final decision. The only thing I know about it is that it is an evergreen, as is the V. Creeper. The V. Creeper has fall color, not picky about soil, and berries for birds. Pretty hard to beat for my purpose but would still like to know more about Crossvine. Thanks everyone.
cev1
15 years ago
Crossvine turns dark red in the winter and is hard to distinguish from fallen leaves on the ground. In my experience, it will be sparse in the deep shade.

CV
flgrown
15 years ago
Passion Flower?

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