What to plant on my new arbor?

17 years ago

It's 8' wide and 10' feet deep with fence posts on one side and my shed's roof on the opposite side. It's very sturdy and in partial shade in the morning, full sun in the afternoon. Something flowering with fruit for the birds would be ideal!

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Comments (10)

runktrun
17 years ago
Penny what would you think about grapes?

{{gwi:1068698}}
pennyviolet
Original Author
17 years ago
I love grapes, but would like to consider other possibilities too...thank you for responding!
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claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
17 years ago
I may get shot for this, but what about Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)?

Not much for flowers, but lovely red foliage in the fall.

Virginia Creeper

Or a climbing/rambling rose that has rose hips. Or if you can find it, the American Bittersweet - Celastrus scandens (NOT Oriental Bittersweet).

Or a combination of vines.

Before the shooting starts, pretty much anything you plant that has fruits the birds like will seed around (thanks to the birds' digestive system).

Claire
pennyviolet
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, Claire, for the response and especially the link to that great bird site! But why get shot re: Virginia Creeper? What is the evil downside?
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
17 years ago
Many people consider Virginia Creeper a noxious weed that invades their garden and must be destroyed ASAP.

To me it's a pretty native vine that's very vigorous.

But then, I like pokeberry too.

Claire
chelone
17 years ago
Aristolochia durior (Dutchman's Pipe) provides glorious, old-timey foliage and stange little "meershaum pipe" flowers.

Anomala petilaris (Climbing Hydrangea) has lovely exfoliating bark and beautiful flowers. Will test your patience the first few years and then will test the sturdiness of your arbor, lol. One of my favorite plants.

Akebia. Beautiful foliage and lovely deep pink, delicate flowers. Will get large, too.

Any of the Clematis that you cut back to about 18" in early spring... "Polish Spirit", Sweet Autum clematis, etc..

Roses are a lovely choice too, but I think they're hard work, personally. I have one (New Dawn) and she's more than enough for me.
ellen_s
17 years ago
Don't forget the native (at least to areas southeast of us) Clematis, Virgin's Bower. (Clematis virginiana)
I grew them from seed last year for use on a wooden arbor and I am really excited about them taking off this year.
Sort of like the Sweet Autumn Clematis but not as invasive.
fgirl21
17 years ago
I planted "fourth of july" climbing roses on my arbor last year. They are supposed to be easy to manage and hardy for our area. I did nothing "special" to them over the winter and so far - they look fine - I see growth!
flutterbug
17 years ago
How about our native honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens, It is supposed to get berries that birds like and it is a great nectar source for hummingbirds which I think everyone loves seeing in the garden. I planted one last year and so far I haven't gotten any berries. I am going to have to look into that now, maybe they need cross pollination. They are so pretty and have a very long bloom period which is another bonus!

Here is a link that might be useful: Good Info and Pictures!
pennyviolet
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for all the great ideas! I'm having fun trying to decide!

What to plant on my new arbor?

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runktrun

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What to plant on my new arbor?

Comments (10)

runktrun

pennyvioletOriginal Author

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claireplymouth z6b coastal MA

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claireplymouth z6b coastal MA

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