Vertical structures draw the viewer’s eye upward.  When considering climbing vines, for additional garden color or fragrance, think ahead to ongoing maintenance.

Know your vines.  Some vines use aerial rootlets to secure themselves to flat surfaces (Boston and English ivies and climbing hydrangeas).  Others are inclined to twine around the first available support, wrapping around and growing upward (morning glories, hoya, and wisteria). Some vines need to be tied by the gardener, as the tender tendrils may not be able support the weight of the vine.  Often a textured will be all that is needed.

If you are planning to grow vines up a trellis next to the side of a house, install the trellis 1 foot from the structure.  This allows breathing room for both the structure and the vines, plus allows the overhanging roof’s runoff to water the vines.

To accent an entrance, windmill palms or sagos deliver palm power.