Classsic climbers 2010

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants
Project SOUND - 2010
© Project SOUND

Vines & Climbers for
Classic Gardens

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve
January 2 & 5, 2010

© Project SOUND

What is it about a grandmother’s garden?

© Project SOUND

Many of our grandmothers (or great-grandmothers)
planned their gardens between 1900 & 1930’s

http://goldenagegardens.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html
© Project SOUND

If this is your Grandmother’s Garden then
you’ll have to wait…

Victorian Style Garden
© Project SOUND

http://imagecache5.art.com/p/LRG/16/1647/9PEGD00Z/t-chiu-victorian-garden.jpg

Edwardian Gardens were very much a
revolt against the Victorian style

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2930975253_e3036b0a45.jpg?v=0

Edwardian Style Garden © Project SOUND

The roots of Edwardian Gardens were in the country


© Project SOUND

This period had many
things in common with ours
 Natural open spaces (‘The
Country’) were becoming rare –
and were recalled nostalgically
 Gardeners wanted an informal
‘natural look’ for their gardens –
many used ‘old-fashioned’ native
plants, often exuberantly
 Leisure time was treasured – and
there wasn’t enough of it
 People loved to do as much as
possible outdoors
 City gardeners had to contend
with ‘less than perfect’ views
 Irrigation systems often
consisted of a hose & spigot

© Project SOUND

In short, we can easily relate to the Edwardian Gardener


© Project SOUND

…and their Edwardian Gardens, which can suggest
ideas for our own (2010) gardens

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Edwardian_garden_(horizontal).jpg
© Project SOUND

One of the first things we
notice is a good use of
vertical space
 Low height (foreground)
 Grass
 Groundcover plants
 Non-living groundcover

 Mid-height (middle ground)
 Shrubs & sub-shrubs
 Hardscape elements (benches,
pots, etc)

 Taller height (background)
 Trees & large shrubs
 Climbers and the supports for
them (arches, trellises, etc.)
http://www.stmarysbramber.co.uk/images/rose_garden.JPG
© Project SOUND

The appropriate use of vertical space was
a key element of Edwardian gardens

http://www.bargatepublications.co.uk/talks/5006.jpg

© Project SOUND

Edwardian gardens used vines & climbers
 When planting vines for height, they
will need something to climb up.
 Options are endless. Arbors,
trellises and obelisks are built in
several sizes and from many sorts of
materials.
 Natural materials, such as grapevine,
bamboo and willow, work well for the
informal garden.

http://www.wrcla.org/cedarprojects/planters/coveredseats.asp

Structures to support vines are
among the easier do-it-yourself
projects – and plans are available
© Project SOUND

Grape & rose arbors
were popular features in
Edwardian gardens
 Follow Mother Nature;
informal, ‘natural’ style for
restful urban gardens
 Create pleasing places for
outdoor living
 Shady and sunny places
 Places to sit/dine/etc.

 Use native plants creatively
– they are pretty, ‘old
fashioned’ and don’t require
as much water, care
 Use valuable space to the
max: use fore-, mid- and
background-space
http://historichouses.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/sagtikos-manor-west-bay-shore-ny/
© Project SOUND

© Project SOUND
http://thehumanfootprint.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/dscn0023.jpg

Our two California native grapes

Desert Wild Grape/S. CA Grape CA Grape – Vitis californica
Vitis girdiana ‘Roger’s Red’
© Project SOUND

Grape arbors are great because the vines
provide fairly dense shade

http://gallinacanyonranch.com/grape-arbor.jpg
© Project SOUND

http://www.sundancelandscaping.com/images/projects/54ArboronDeck.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/213/513090893_5eb749323d.jpg

Structures to support
grapes (and other fast-
growing, dense woody vines)
need to be sturdy – don’t
under-build them

© Project SOUND
http://www.garysumner.com/20718940_08.jpg

Climbers require some guidance…


Which can be an enjoyable activity if you like the creativity
© Project SOUND

‘Natural’ and ‘Maintained’ arbors were both
used by Edwardian gardeners

 The natural arbor is
permitted to grow
randomly, forming a thick
mass of canes.
 There is very little
upkeep and the vines
produce a dense shade.
 Since the vines are not
pruned annually, there
would be significantly
fewer grapes produced.
http://www.suelynncotton.com/landscapes.htm

© Project SOUND

‘Maintained’ arbors were used
by Edwardian gardeners,
particularly for grapes
 The maintained arbor is
covered by vines which are
pruned to a two-bud spur-
type cordon
 Prune vines in Nov/Dec (or
when vines are dormant) to
a single cordon (trunk).
 Each spur should be pruned
to contain two or three
buds.
© Project SOUND
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/grapearbors/grape.html

Once the basic structure is achieved you
just maintain it
 Prune dormant vines
each year
 Remove all new growth
except for spurs with
2-3 buds
 This type of pruning
promotes a healthy
grape crop
 It also:
 Keeps the weight down
 Removes dead/weak
growth - rejuvenates
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/grapearbors/grape.html
© Project SOUND

Where to use
grapes?

 Where ever you’d
like some shade
http://www.mosaicartbyla.com/sitebuilder/images/front_grape_arbor2-389x284.jpg

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v7WekBeoWLAngMvxp2RHQQ
http://harrisonauth.us/

© Project SOUND

Other great uses for grapes….
 Along fences, or over walls
 As a rustic groundcover;
great on slopes
 Climbing a chain-link fence

http://wardroadgarden.blogspot.com/2008/07/grape-vines.html

© Project SOUND

Lattice screens were popular in Edwardian gardens

http://jacquettamenzies.blogspot.com/2008/07/arts-and-crafts-garden.html

© Project SOUND

Wood lattice - popular
from 1880’s to 1930’s
 Easy to install
 Economical
 Good for narrow spaces
 Looks neat and tidy
http://www.mastergardenproducts.com/woodcare/latticepanelinstallation.htm

 Many styles available
 Can be used in many
ways
 Fences
 Free-standing screens
 Trellises to grow vines
 On arbors/garden
benches
 Etc., etc., etc.
© Project SOUND
http://www.reliablefenceboston.com/nss-folder/pictures/Image121.jpg http://www.freewoodworkingplan.com/index.php?cat=196

The many faces
of lattice

http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/5087563/227338-main_Full.jpg

http://tucsonlandscaping.info/trellis

http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/upload//9000/500/90/7/29597.jpg
© Project SOUND

http://bespokewoodcraft.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Rustic_lattice_screens_1.36583311_large.jpg

Vigorous native vines
to provide shade &
screen
 Grapes – Vitis species
 The Virgin’s Bowers -
Clematis species
 CA Wild Rose - Rosa
californica
 Morning-glories -
Calystegia species

http://www.craftsman-style.info/garden/arbor.htm

© Project SOUND

Island Morning-glory – Calystegia macrostegia

© Project SOUND

* Pacific Morning-glory – Calystegia purpurata ssp. purpurata

© 2007 Neal Kramer

© Project SOUND

* Pacific Morning-glory – Calystegia purpurata ssp. purpurata
 Coastal and foothill regions of CA
– more widely distributed than C.
macrostegia (coastal & Channel
Isl.)
 Locally: Hollywood Hills, Griffith
Park
 Grows in coastal sage scrub of
the coastline and the chaparral of
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Calystegia%20purpurata
the coastal and inland valleys.

© Project SOUND

Pacific Morning-glory – like Island species
 Size: slightly smaller and
daintier than C. macrostegia
 6-8 ft long
 6-8 ft wide

 Growth form:
 Half-woody vine; base is
woody, new growth is more
herbaceous (at least to begin
with)
 Upright but sprawling habit –
in nature grows through
other shrubs or on ground

 Foliage:
 Typical, arrow-shaped leaves
 Color: medium to blue-green
© 2009 Barry Breckling
© Project SOUND

http://www.homegardenguides.com/plant-database/calystegia-purpurata-ssp-purpurata-103165.html

Love those flowers!

 Blooms: late spring through
summer – just when you need a
little summer color!

 Flowers:
 Typical morning-glory shape
 Small – ½ to ¾ inch across
 White or pink; sometimes
purple
 Great for native pollinators

 Seeds:
 Dark, round seeds in capsule
 Soak for 2 hr in warm water
prior to planting in fall

© Project SOUND

Pacific Morning-glory does well in western
L.A. County  Soils:
 Texture: just about any, including
clays
 pH: any local
 Light:
 Full sun to part-shade (in hot,
inland gardens)

 Water:
 Young plants: Zone 2-3
 Winter: only during dry spells
(when rains should normally
occur)
 Summer: occasional water (Zone 2
will keep it blooming)
 Other: clean and prune to shape in
fall/winter (dormant)
© Project SOUND
© 2007 Neal Kramer

I can see a Morning-glory in your garden
 Along fence-lines; sprawling over
walls or fences

 Over a pergola or arch – wouldn’t
it be nice to sit and enjoy!

 As an unusual flowering
groundcover – great on N and E-
facing slopes

 Climbing through a large native
shrub

 Climbing up a trellis – this species
won’t take over!

 As an attractive & unique pot
http://queerbychoice.livejournal.com/627113.html plant
© Project SOUND

‘Bolinas’ cultivar
rivals non-native
species

 Larger, pastel
pink flowers
 Delicate
stems
 Does well in
gardens

http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_c/calpurpurbol.html © Project SOUND

Can you relate to this photo?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3417180078_53e343bc10_o.jpg
http://www.sanfranciscodays.com/photos/large/california-redwoods.jpg © Project SOUND

Many native vines like part-shade

http://thebirdguide.com/washington/site_guides/tualatin_hills/tualatin_hills.htm
© Project SOUND

Plants have developed many strategies to
get light when competing with other plants.

 Some grow enormously tall
 Some latch onto branches
in the canopy
 Some grow in openings.
 One group, the vines,
scramble or twine their
way to the light using
larger and sturdier plants
for support.

http://wildgardeners.blogspot.com/2007/12/forest-or-woodland-garden.html © Project SOUND

What makes a vine a vine?

http://science.howstuffworks.com/cabbage-info.htm http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/Gardeners/f0132.jpg http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/images/401/Magnoliophyta/Magnolio
psida/Fabales/Fabaceae/Pueraria_thunbergiana/Vine_MC_.html

 Often grow in shady/part-shade areas – like forests or
dense shrublands
 Developed a growth pattern that allows them to reach the
light under crowded conditions:
 Fast growth – allows it to reach the sun quickly in life
 Long inter-nodes – long elongation allows it to grow up
© Project SOUND

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/201/483149920_2302dd7aac.jpg?v=0

 Twining habit: plant senses the supporting structure – differential
growth explains the twining
 Specialized structures:
 Tendrils – typical of Pea family, grapes
 Hold-fasts – typical of Ivy, Virginia Creeper, other wall-climbing vines

© Project SOUND

Native vines for
shady areas

 Regular water (Zone 2-3
to 3)
 Orange Honeysuckle
 Other vines from the Pacific
Northwest

 Occasional water (Zone 2)
 Other native honeysuckles
 Climbing Penstemon
 Native Peas (Lathyrus)

http://kinsellandscape.com/Project_Samples/Gardens/GardenArbor1p.jpg © Project SOUND

The Honeysuckles (Lonicera species)
 Arching shrubs or twining vines
 Family Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle
family)
 Native to the Northern Hemisphere.
 ~ 180 species, mostly from China (~
100 species); ~ 20 native to N.
America.
 Common garden vines:
 Lonicera periclymenum (European
Honeysuckle)
 Lonicera japonica (Japanese
Honeysuckle, White Honeysuckle)
 Lonicera sempervirens (Coral
Honeysuckle, Trumpet Honeysuckle)
 Many species have sweetly-scented,
bell-shaped flowers that produce a
sweet, edible nectar.
© Project SOUND

Honeysuckles (Lonicera species)
 Lonicera: named for Adam Lonitzer
(1528-1586), a German herbalist,
physician and botanist who wrote a
standard herbal text that was
reprinted many times between 1557
and 1783
 Foliage of many species used
medicinally
 Hummingbirds love the flowers !!!!.
 The fruit is a red, blue or black
berry containing several seeds; in
most species the berries are mildly
poisonous, but a few have edible
berries, and birds will eat most
honeysuckle species’ berries.
 The foliage is eaten by the larvae
of some butterfly & moth species

© Project SOUND

* Orange Honeysuckle – Lonicera ciliosa

© 2008 Matt Below
© Project SOUND


http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Lonicera&Species=ciliosa
© Project SOUND

 A plant of the Pacific Northwest –
British Columbia to Northern CA and
east to Montana
 North slopes and creek and river
banks, mostly in moist forested areas

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?2874,2877,2879

http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Lonicera&Species=ciliosa © Project SOUND

Orange Honeysuckle -
a twining vine
 Size:
 to 15+ ft long

 Growth form:
 Semi-woody vine/climbing shrub
 Creeping, trailing, climbing or
twining habit – usually grows
http://www.rainyside.com/features/plant_gallery/nativeplants/Lonicera_ciliosa.html

through other plants
 Old vines can kill trees – kind of
like a boa constrictor

 Foliage:
 Medium to dark green, paired
simple leaves
 Winter deciduous

 Roots: trailing stems will root
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
where they touch the©ground
Project SOUND

Flowers are fantastic
 Blooms: in spring - usually May-
June in our area

 Flowers:
 Usually red-orange; may be
more yellow-orange
 Trumpet-shape – typical of
the Honeysuckles
 In very showy clusters – this
plant is a show-stopper in
bloom
 Hummingbirds love them!!

 Berries:

© 1997 John Game

© Project SOUND
http://www.rainyside.com/features/plant_gallery/nativeplants/Lonicera_ciliosa.html

Orange Honeysuckle is for shady gardens…
 Soils:
 Texture: just about any
 pH: any including slightly acidic
(under pines, firs)

 Light: light shade to quite shady;
this is a forest plant

 Water:
 Winter: can take some flooding
 Summer: likes moist soil – Zone
2-3 or even 3

 Fertilizer: likes organic
amendments/ richer soils

 Other: cannot take heat
© Project SOUND

Orange Honeysuckle lights up dark corners
of the garden
 As an attractive pot plant
 In a woodsy garden – like
many of our ‘mature’
gardens
 Sprawling over a wall or
fence
 As a groundcover under
trees that need regular
water
 Any other place that is
shady and gets a little
regular water
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/ofp/lon_cil.htm
© Project SOUND

For garden vines, use
a native alternative…

http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?Genus=Lonicera&Sp
ecies=ciliosa

Cape Honeysuckle - Tecomaria capensis
Native to Australia Orange Honeysuckle – Lonicera ciliosa

© Project SOUND

 Throughout the United States and
Canada, many other invasive species
of vines are choking out native
vegetation and harming wildlife.
 Some nurseries still sell several of
these villains—such as oriental
bittersweet, porcelain berry,
English ivy and Chinese wisteria—to
unsuspecting gardeners.
 Most botanists believe that you can
help keep this ecological nightmare
from getting any worse by planting
only native vines.
 In the process, you will add eye-
catching, flowering plants to your
yard that will help you attract birds,
butterflies, bees, moths and even
English Ivy – Gardena some small mammals.
Willows Wetland Preserve
© Project SOUND

‘Hate it with a Passion’ vine

Don’t plant it – the Gulf Fritillaries will
get by just fine

© Project SOUND

Invasive alien vines –DO NOT PLANT
 Japanese Honeysuckle - Lonicera
japonica
 Cape ivy - Delairea odorata (Senecio
mikanioides)
 English ivy, Algerian ivy - Hedera
helix & H. canariensis

Cape Ivy
 Bridal creeper - Asparagus asparagoides
 Blue Morning-glory - Ipomoea indica
 Chinese Creeper; ‘Mile-a-minute’
vine -Mikania micrantha
 Passion Vines - Passiflora species
 Nasturtium - Tropaeolum majus

Bridal Creeper © Project SOUND

Alien Honeysuckles – the “bad boys” of
invasive vines

 Japanese Honeysuckle -
Lonicera japonica
 Amur Honeysuckle -
Lonicera maackii

 Very invasive- remove by
cutting, flaming, or burning
the plant to root level and
repeating on two-week
increments until nutrient
reserves in the roots are
depleted

© Project SOUND

California honeysuckles are not
aggressive vigorous vines…

 It’s the non-native species
that completely engulfing
chain link fences – and give
our native species a bad
reputation.

 CA native species tend to be
more like open shrubs that
couldn't quite stand up on
their own and needed to hold
onto a few of their neighbors.
© Project SOUND

Arches can add mystery –
and increase the ‘size’ - of
small gardens

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovedaylemon/3710741760/

© Project SOUND

Our two locally native
Honeysuckles

Purple (Pink) Honeysuckle
Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans Santa Barbara & Southern Honeysuckles
Lonicera subspicata vars. denudata &
subspicata

© Project SOUND

Pink Honeysuckle – Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans

© 2001 Steven Thorsted
© Project SOUND

A honeysuckle with pink flowers…
 Blooms Apr-July
 Pink-lavender and white
flowers – typical
Honeysuckle
 Flowers in showy clusters
at ends of flowering stalks
 Flowers are scented
 Provide a good nectar
source for hummingbirds,
bees & butterflies
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/hairyhoneysuckle.html

© Project SOUND

* Chaparral Honeysuckle – Lonicera interrupta

© 2008 Chris Winchell

© Project SOUND

* Chaparral Honeysuckle – Lonicera interrupta
 Native to foothills from S. OR to
AZ and into N. Mexico

 Dry slopes, ridges, mixed forest
to 6000’

 Chaparral, yellow pine forest,
often in shade of trees/shrubs

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Lonicera+interrupta

© Project SOUND

Native Honeysuckles are all similar-looking
 Size:
 6-10+ ft tall & wide

 Growth form:
 Sprawling deciduous
shrub/vine
 Plants stout & woody at base
– become many-branched
above
 Long, flexible stems used in
basketry

 Foliage:
 Leaves typical for
Honeysuckle – paired, simple,
rounded, medium-green

 Roots: roots easily where stems
touch soil
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/socal/honeysi5.htm © Project SOUND

Flowers are the most
yellow of the natives
 Blooms:
 Mid-spring to mid-summer
 Usually May-June in our area

 Flowers:
 Typical Honey-suckle shape
 Color is a bright, clear yellow
 Many clusters of flowers –
showy in bloom
 Kids of all ages love to suck
the ‘honey’ (nectar) from the
flowers
 Hummingbird pollinated
 Birds love the fruits

© Project SOUND
© 2008 Chris Winchell

Honeysuckles are
relatively easy to
propagate from seed
 Remove seeds from fruits

 Use fresh seed for best
germination – often will need
no cold treatment, but test
germination with a few seeds

 Soak seeds 24 hr before
planting

 Stored seed then needs cold-
moist treatment for 1-2 mo.
(use coffee filter; place in
open plastic bag in refrigerator
– check for germination)
Beatrice F. Howitt © California Academy of Sciences © Project SOUND

Rooting honeysuckle  The best time is when new growth
starts to appear in the spring (if there
cuttings is easy! is green growth, you can do itmost
anytime of the year)
 Cut a length of green, “semi-soft
wood" growth from the end of the vine
- be sure to get several sets of leaves.
 Strip off the leaves nearest the cut
end. Leave one or two leaf nodes bare
and one or two sets of leaves left on
the vine.
 At this point you have a couple of
options.

You will soon (1-2 weeks) see  Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and
the new roots forming, and place it in damp potting soil or other
when you have several good rooting medium.
roots (an inch or so long) you
are ready to plant your new  Place the cutting in a vase of water and
Honeysuckle vine! allow the roots to develop - change the
water regularly to prevent rot.
© Project SOUND

Chaparral Honeysuckle takes drier conditions…
 Soils:
 Texture: very adaptable – one of
the better for gardens
 pH: any local pH

 Light: full sun (on coast) to part-
shade; excellent in dappled shade

 Water:
 Winter: takes quite wet, including a
little flooding
 Summer: drought tolerant (Zone 1-
2) but better as Zone 2; can even
take Zone 2-3 in well-drained soils

 Fertilizer – best with an organic
mulch – it’s a Chaparral plant
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/chaparralhoneysuckle.html
© Project SOUND

Use Chaparral Honeysuckle
instead of L. japonica
 Great groundcover on banks
 As a flowery accent in mixed
hedges/hedgerows
 Climbing over an arbor – enjoy
© 2007 Julie Kierstead Nelson
the sweet-scented flowers
 On a lattice or trellis to hide a
‘less than perfect’ view
 As an attractive pot plant
 All honeysuckles are great
choices for habitat garden

© Project SOUND

The Honeysuckles – consummate
hummingbird plants
 Native honeysuckles are mostly
hummingbird pollinated,
throughout the world
 Are known for their fragrance,
medicinal qualities, use in
basketry and cordage-making
and for their beauty
 Feed a wide range of living
things including hummingbirds,
other birds, bees, moths,
butterflies and small animals
 Some critters even live in their
shady hidey places.

© Project SOUND

Can you relate to
this photo?

 Challenges:
 Narrow space
 Shady
 Damp in winter; drier in
summer
 Ugly wall
 Neighbors close by – need
to screen
 Poor air circulation

 Consider an Edwardian
solution – a vine-covered
arch
http://www.cheeseslave.com/2008/06/04/update-on-the-growing-challenge/
© Project SOUND

Native Honeysuckles are a great idea for
narrow side yard
 If your Honeysuckle is to be grown
on a trellis or an arbor, put this
support structure in place before
planting, to avoid damaging the vine.
 Plant Honeysuckle 6-12 in. away from
the support to allow enough growing
room for developing stems.
 Tie vines to their support using
strong, stretchy materials that
won't cut into growing branches.
 Strips of old nylon hosiery work very
well.
 Loop each tie into a figure 8, with
the crossed portion between the
stem and the support to keep stems
from rubbing or being choked.
http://kinsellandscape.com/Project_Samples/Gardens/GardenArbor1p.jpg © Project SOUND

Climbing Penstemon - Keckiella cordifolia

http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/courses/img/bot/401/Magnoliophyta/Magnoliopsida/Asteridae/Scrophulariaceae/Keckiella_cordifolia_FL_.jpg

© Project SOUND

Climbing (heart-leafed) Penstemon -
Keckiella cordifolia

 South and central coasts of CA
to N. Baja
 In chaparral, woodlands and
even forest
 Keckiella: after David Daniels
Keck (1903-1995), an American
botanist known for his work on
experimental taxonomy who
collaborated with Philip Munz
on A California Flora,
cordifolia: in Latin means with
"heart-shaped leaves"

© Project SOUND

Characteristics of Climbing Penstemon

 A woody vine/ open
climbing shrub
 Size: usually 3-6 ft
long (to 15 ft); fast-
growing
 Sprawling – often
found growing
through other plants
 evergreen in mild
http://biology.csusb.edu/PlantGuideFolder/KeckiellaCord/KeckiellaCordPage.htm
climates with a little
watering, deciduous
in winter cold or
under drought stress.
© Project SOUND

Who could resist such a pretty flower?

 Blooms: May-Jul
 Flowers: bright orange-
red to deep red in
clusters – very showy
 Excellent summer
nectar source:
 Hummingbirds
 Butterflies
 Bees, etc.
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/keck2.htm

 Birds also eat the seed

© Project SOUND

Tricks for gardening with Climbing
Penstemon
 Does best in light shade

 Likes any well-drained soil

 Probably lives longer with
little/no summer water, but
it can be kept green with
modest waterings

 prefers cool roots, so
consider mulching with
organic mulch

 Prune only to remove dead
branches or to shape

© Project SOUND

Climbing Penstemon in the garden

 Great summer color
in dry shady areas –
really showy
 Good under oaks
 Excellent habitat
 On slopes
 As backdrop for
other plants –
attractive leaves
http://www.marrsandersen.com/Stuff/California-plants/Page1.html

with some summer
Can be trained to “climb” if
given support
water

© Project SOUND

Outdoor activities – important in Edwardian
(and our) gardens

Many appropriate chairs and
benches are readily available
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/3934056099
© Project SOUND

When styles clash, the
results aren’t pretty
 Edwardian
 Rustic; substantial
looking
 Natural colors for wood,
metal hardscape
 Natural-looking/
informal plantings

 Victorian
 Refined; more delicate-
looking – often
embellished
 Hardscape often painted
(white or pastels)
 Geometric/formal
http://www.heartlandhomeandgarden.com/ plantings
http://s7.kmart.com/is/image/Sears/07114609000?hei=500&wid=500&op_sharpen=1
© Project SOUND

Accessories, hardscape all should carry
out the theme
This was true in
1910 and is still
a good rule
today!

http://www.kellscraft.com/AmericanGardens/americangarden16.html

If your garden has a rustic/Edwardian
look, then arbors, trellises, furniture
should reflect this
http://inandoutdoors.com/gardenbenches/
© Project SOUND

* Roving Sailor/Climbing Snapdragon –
Maurandella antirrhiniflora

© Project SOUND
Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

* Roving Sailor – Maurandella antirrhiniflora
 Grows in desert mountains/ foothills of
the Southwest – Texas to N. Mexico
 In S. Ca – grows in Providence Mtns., San
Bernardino Co.
 Bluffs, dry stony slopes, desert flats,
washes

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?7177,7383,0,7384

http://www.desertmuseumdigitallibrary.org/public/img.php?t=detail&id=ASDM01072
© Project SOUND

Roving Sailor is a nice, refined little vine
 Size:
 4-10 ft long & wide

 Growth form:
 Semi-woody vine/sprawling shrub in
our area – grown as an annual in
cold-winter areas – fast growth
 Sprawls and twines through/over
G.A. Cooper @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
other plants (or trellises, etc.)

 Foliage:
 Fresh, medium to dark green
(woodsy looking with water) – to
gray-green (in hot, dry conditions)
 Dainty – leaves somewhat ivy-like
but more attractive shape
 Dies back almost to ground in
winter (or cut back if needed)
© Project SOUND
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=maan9

Flowers are a
designer’s dream
 Blooms:
 From spring to fall; often
from April-Oct. with a little
summer water.
 Blooms open over long bloom
season – excellent season-
stretcher

 Flowers:
 ~ 1 inch – but lots of them
 Snapdragon-like appearance
 Usually lilac color; natural
red-maroon variants
 Really showy – but up close

 Seeds: tiny, but good
germination; will reseed
© Project SOUND
Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database © 2008 Aaron Schusteff © 2007 Zoya Akulova

Roving Sailor is surprising well suited to
garden conditions…
 Soils:
 Texture: likes a well-drained soil;
sandy soils are great, as are well-
drained clays
 pH: good for alkali soils

 Light: full sun to part-shade; probably
does best in dappled shade (under
trees or climbing up a trellis)

 Water:
 Winter: rainwater often sufficient
 Summer: some supplemental water
(Zone 2 or even 2-3) will extend
http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/htop_1211484777_460.jpg
bloom season; drought tolerant
Roving Sailor can hide a multitude
of ‘sins’  Fertilizer: not needed, but won’t harm
© Project SOUND

English gardeners have
known for years…
 Nice petite vines to climb
up poles, fences, trellises

 Use it to hide those ugly
chain-link fences

 Excellent (period-
appropriate) climber for
an Edwardian/ Craftsman
Garden – even in a pot!

 Use to attract Buckeye
butterflies

 Looks delicate – but is a
real trooper!
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-
california/plants/maurandya-antirrhiniflora © Project SOUND

Available through traditional seed companies as
Climbing Snapdragon - Asarina antirrhiniflora

 ‘Mixed’ - available through
Thompson-Morgan Seeds

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds1/product/7506/1.html

 ‘Red’ – available through
Summerhill seeds and several
others

© Project SOUND

Canyon Pea flowers are a joy to behold
 Flowers:
 Spring: usually April-June
 Color:
 usually light pink to white;
 may be lavender;
 San Diego variant (var. alefeldii ) is
magenta
 Flowers look like wild sweetpeas (or
even slightly small horticultural
varieties)
 Sweetly scented
 Good for native pollinators: bees,
hummingbirds & butterflies
 Seed pod:
 pink-green & fuzzy, drying to brown
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/canyonsweetpea.html  Seeds of Pea family may be toxic if
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/canyonsweetpea.html eaten
© Project SOUND

Use Canyon Pea like any
Sweetpea

 In a fragrance garden
 Climbing up fences, trellises or other
supports
 On ‘natural’ hillsides
 Great under oaks, Toyon, other
chaparral tree & shrubs
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/canyonsweetpea.html

 Probably even in large containers

Locate Canyon Pea where you can enjoy
its flowers & fragrance
http://www.redshift.com/~bigcreek/fire/fire5/index.html © Project SOUND

Not enough space in your tiny garden?
Think creatively!

http://tucsonlandscaping.info/trellis
http://www.container-gardening-made-easy.com/perennial-flowering-vines.html
http://edenmakersblog.com/?tag=low-water-plants
© Project SOUND

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/roses/msg070356056294.html

Obelisks are four-sided
structures that are large at the
base and taper as they reach
skyward. They may have a finial
at the top, where the obelisk
comes to a point.

The garden obelisk is made with open weave to allow vines to twine in,
out and around. Obelisks allow you to grow certain vines in small
places. © Project SOUND

* Pride of California – Lathyrus splendens
 Native to Peninsular Ranges of Sand
Diego Co. and Baja

 An uncommon chaparral plant

 Generally, the chaparral is low
growing with a moderately open
canopy; however, it can occur in dense
vegetation on north-facing slopes.


Also known as ‘Campo Pea’
© Project SOUND

Pride of California – a perennial Sweetpea
 Size:
 6-12 ft long

 Growth form:
 Semi-woody perennial
vine/shrub
 Long, weak stems – delicate-
looking plant
 Can climb up or through – has
tendrils like many species in
the Pea family

 Foliage:
 Leaves typical for peas –
compound leaf with rounded
leaflets
 Foliage color – usually blue-
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LASP3 green
© Project SOUND

A riot of scarlet blooms
 Blooms:
 In spring; usually May-June
in our area

 Flowers:
 One of our most splendid
native plants – like the best
Sweetpea
 Flower shape – Pea-type
 Brilliant carmine color –
darken with age
 Tropical-looking; attract
hummingbirds & butterflies

 Seeds:
 Typical peas in a pod
J. E.(Jed) and Bonnie McClellan © California Academy of Sciences

© Project SOUND

Pride of California – a bit difficult to grow…
 Soils:
 Texture: well-drained soils a
must; sandy/rocky soils best
 pH: any local

 Light:
 Part-shade – dapple shade is
perfect

 Water:
 Winter: supplement if
necessary
 Summer: Dry – Zone 1-2 best;
water perhaps 1-2 times in
summer

 Fertilizer: none
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LASP3
© Project SOUND

Pride of CA would make
a nice vine for sandy
soil gardens

 Unfortunately, I
haven’t been able to
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LASP3
find a source for
seeds or plants

 Your mission (if you
choose to accept it):
find us a source

© Project SOUND
© 2008 Dr. James D. Adams

Don’t be fooled…

 It is important to distinguish
this species from Lathyrus
latifolius 'Splendens' which is
sometimes sold under the
same name.
 The latter is merely a
selected form of the common
European 'Everlasting Pea'.
 The true species is uncommon
in cultivation and difficult to
obtain.

http://chestofbooks.com/flora-plants/flowers/Western-Wild-Flowers/Pride-Of-California- © Project SOUND
Lathyrus-Splendens-Crimson-Spring-California.html

Lessons from
Edwardian Gardens
1. Follow Mother Nature;
informal, ‘natural’ style for
restful urban gardens
2. Create pleasing places for
http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/gertrude_jekyll_garden_glebe_house_museum
outdoor living
• Shady and sunny places
• Places to sit/dine/etc.

3. Use native plants creatively –
they are pretty, ‘old
fashioned’ and don’t require
as much water, care
4. Use valuable space to the
max: use fore-, mid- and
background-space

http://goldenagegardens.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html © Project SOUND

What is it about your garden that makes it a
good ‘grandmother’s/grandfarther’s garden’?

http://www.wickedlocal.com/mansfield/archive/x639771749/This-is-not-your-grandmother-s-garden-club

http://www.junedudley.com/images/grandmother%27s-garden432v.jpg
© Project SOUND

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