Annual vine on wisteria standard?

18 years ago

I have a youngish wisteria standard that I've been training for 5 or 6 years. it was formed from braided vines and has an informal look. It flowered a little bit this spring, possibly because it was moved twice in the last few years (avoiding construction). I'm not worried about the wisteria flowers, it problably needs a few more years.

However I was thinking about growing an annual flowering vine up the standard that would give flowers for the rest of the season. I figured annual vine so that I could pull off the dead vine to allow the wisteria to flower unimpeded in the spring.

I would like the annual flowers to attract hummingbirds and butterflies if possible.

I would guess that the annual vine should flourish in poor soil, since I don't want to fertilize the wisteria. Alternatively, I could grow the annual vine in a container next to the wisteria.

I was thinking something llike a climbing nasturtium or cardinal climber, but I'm not really knowledgable about vines.

Is this a good idea? Are there any problems I don't know about. Is there a better annual vine that would work?

I'm in zone 6b and the site is sunny most of the day. Sandy loam soil.

Thanks,

Claire

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Comments (4)

kayjones
18 years ago
That would work just fine. Black-eyed susan vine would look nice, as would morning glories. You would want a 'fine' textured vine that would not choke your wisteria. Since wisteria needs full sun to perform its best, you might research different annual vines to see which would grow best in the setting you have in mind.
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
Original Author
18 years ago
i just looked up black-eyed susan vine and I have two concerns. One is that they say the length of the vine is 3' to 8', and it rarely reaches 8' when grown as an annual. My wisteria is about 7' tall and I would like some of the flowers to be on the top and spreading out on the branches. Would the black-eyed susan vine be too short?

The other concern is that it seems to really prefer moist soil and hates drought. Summer here usually gets pretty dry and, while I do water, I don't want to get tied to a vine that will wilt if I miss a watering.

The only problem I have with morning glories is that they close up before lunch. I'd like an all day flower.

Would a climbing nasturtium work? I guess I would have to help it climb, but the wisteria is on an obelisk and I could tie the vine on.

Claire
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kayjones
18 years ago
We are in the same zone, and I have to disagree with the BES getting only 8" tall - mine climbed up into my hibiscus bush, a good 6' tall. Also, wisteria is not harmed if it wilts - it prefers drought and sun in my area. My experience with nasturtiums was a total 'dud' experience - they grew to about 14", bloomed a couple of blossoms and promptly turned yellow and died. Not all like 'zones' are the same of course, so I would say you should talk to someone who lives in your area, who has a vine you like, find the vine at your local nursery, and take it from there. Growing any kind of plant is trial and error, ya realize.
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
Original Author
18 years ago
Kay:

I wasn't concerned about the wisteria wilting - nothing bothers this one. But the black-eyed susan vine is the one that seems to like moist conditions, at least according to what I've read, and I thought it might wilt if it got too dry.

Thanks for the report on your poor experience with nasturtiums. The "Moonlight" climbing nasturtium sounded great, although it seems to have the same water issues.

I guess I should post on the New England Gardening Forum - I just thought it made sense to start with vine experts.

Thanks,
Claire

Here is a link that might be useful: Moonlight Climbing Nasturtium

Annual vine on wisteria standard?

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claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
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Annual vine on wisteria standard?

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