Non-invasive shade vines
laurell
15 years ago
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Embothrium
15 years agoRelated Discussions
Looking for hardy non-invasive shade tolerant variety...
Comments (2)I have a hedge of Fargesia rufa 'Green Panda'. It is in an eastern exposure, under a large Pin Oak so it gets morning sun, then filtered sun mid day. It took a couple of years before it took off. They are not cheap, but I divided them every Spring so before long, there was a hedge of them. No winter burn and they do tolerate well our hot, humid summer nights. This is a fairly wet climate so no need to water even under the oak. (Purchased from one of the big box stores a few years ago, though now, I don't see them there.)...See Morefast non-invasive evergreen vine
Comments (11)You've gotten some great suggestions! I love bower vine too, especially the variegated forms. Another good candidate is 'Tangerine Beauty' crossvine (Bignonia). I've had one on a hot south facing wall for three years here in Scottsdale, AZ and it's done great, blooming off and on all year. I was torn between it and bower vine, but since I like hot colors, I went with the crossvine. Here's a pic of mine: 'Tangerine Beauty' Bignonia vine This is NOT the same plant as trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) which is beautiful and aggressive in many climates. Mine has been very well behaved. Like bower vine, it needs help climbing, although unlike bower vine, it also produces small tendrils which help it grab on to vertical surfaces too. Hopefully you'll get some more suggestions too. Let us know who the lucky winner is and how it works out. Take care, Grant Here is a link that might be useful: My orange crossvine on a south facing wall...See MoreLooking for non-invasive, non-vining annual full sun ground cover
Comments (5)If you're doing a cover crop then part of the sequence is to actually cut the crop before it comes to flower so you get plenty of juicy material that rots down quickly - and has enough fibre to not make a felted mess (like you see with heaps of grass clippings.) The roots stay in the soil and, as they rot down, add even more humus to the soil. It is really important to not bury the cover crop deeply, It can combine with clay to make a bit of a toxic brew for a while. If you live in a rural area observe how the farmers disc in the crop residue (hoping that they don't burn off.) You might also notice that some farmers turn stock onto the crop residue to clean up and add manure before they disc. You'll need to have an acceptable process to add extra nitrogen to the soil as the cover crop rots down. Something slow acting, such as blood and bone could be useful, although it can attract animals. Perhaps dried animal manure would be an alternative. Your biggest hassle would come if you have a perennial weed (like dandelions, dock, twitch grass, or whatever your local nightmare/s happen to be) growing in your cover crop. The darned things LOVE being disced. It spreads little bits of root everywhere - and, being weeds, they usually all grow. A cover crop can be highly useful in a poor soil - and to give protection if wind or heavy rain moves soil in your area. You might also want to consider growing a cleaning crop such as potatoes, or rows of peas that need regular weed control and/or hilling up. If you were to lay down a mulch between the rows, along the lines that lindac has suggested, then you could have 'the best of both worlds'. If you do decide on doing the cover crop - and leaving it over winter (a ryegrass, mustard, lupin, barley, clover, vetch crop would probably all be suitable) remember to leave enough time between the cutting back, digging in - and your planned planting date - for the material to rot down, or plant crops that will tolerate quantities of partially rotted material in the soil. Also think about any fertiliser/liming that needs to be done, too. Those additions need time to become effective in the soil for following crops - and some crops don't like them too fresh....See MoreLow growing, non invasive, non vining ground cover
Comments (12)Thank you all for your suggestions. I really appreciate getting some good ideas. This spot has been a problem for a few years and as I mentioned is getting worse. I have to be very careful what I plant however. DH just last year pulled out all of the vinca ground cover I had around part of the back and the north side of our house due it being too hardy and covering over the bushes and sidewalk. lol He has spotted a few trying to come back and he has already said he is going after them so I know whatever I plant must not vine. I like the Asian Jasmine very much and I believe the right color variety would look good with the photinias. If we could do as Dawn mentioned and just mow them to keep them off the bushes it might work and they might be able to withstand the late sun they will get. I also love thrift. I have had it as mixed ground cover in front of my house for years and it was just breath taking many springs and falls as well. But something happened to it in the last year or so...either the floods or the ice storms. It is trying to make a come back but is pretty sparse as of now. I know it can take sun since my house faces west and gets intense heat. It has been a challenge to find one which meets all my needs in this spot and is something DH will tolerate as well.....lol. Oh and BTW I forgot to mention it will have to be able to endure being trampled when DH prunes the photinias...lol. I think Ajuga is very nice ground cover but I really don't think it would survive the conditions I have. The purple heart I know to be a very hardy and pretty plant and low maintance but I agree Dawn it might look a little like overkill with the photinias. I find a twig of it in some of my beds around here occasionally so I am sure some of my neighbors must have it. Speaking of plants coming from neighbors...I had a battle last summer with the green variety of "jew" coming up EVERYWHERE around here. I didn't think I would ever get rid of it. Apparently seed must have washed through the yard during all the flooding rains. From the plants you all have mentioned I think the only two which might work are the Asian Jasmine or the thrift. I wonder if the thrift will have too much roots for me with all those power lines? I know the ones I planted in front came in half gallon pots. Yikes! But perhaps we could have the electric company come out and mark the lines so we can avoid them....it is pretty scary. Since this spot of my yard is in perfect view from my patio I need to do something with it. It looks pretty ugly right now with so much bare soil showing. Even thought DH gives the photinias a severe pruning pretty often and tries to keep them from being too tall still the bare spot is growing larger each year. Thank you all for your helpful suggestions and I will let you know what I end up doing. I have had so much else going on lately I have given little thought to any kind of gardening. After last year I am pretty disgusted with it to tell you the truth. It was THE WORST season for me EVER. And Dawn...no we have not been traveling. We have kept busy with going through our entire property and doing a massive clean out. I hope to have a huge garage sale and cut way down on things around here. I just want to SIMPLIFY. We finally redecorated our master bedroom and bathroom too....so we have kept very busy all winter. Now I am just ready for WARMTH. Lots of sunshine and WARMTH! Thank ya'll! G.M....See Morecloud_shine
15 years agolaurell
15 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
15 years agoweed_tree
15 years agoEmbothrium
15 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
15 years agocascadians
15 years agoEmbothrium
15 years agobeanthere
15 years agoboizeau
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15 years agowestcoastgardener
15 years agoDanalee McQuitty
6 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
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