Groundcovers and Vines, The Floors and Walls Ed Skvarch, Commercial Horticulture

Walls

VINE TYPES HARDY EVERGREEN – Keep leaves and stems in winter HARDY DECIDUOUS – In the fall, lose their leaves, but not their stems PERENNIAL – Die back to the ground in winter, but grow back quickly from crown in spring TROPICAL – Die totally in freezing weather ANNUAL – Die, but reseed

Vine Types - Tendrils Tendrils - slim, flexible, leafless stems that wrap themselves around anything they contact Grape vines Wire / Wood stakes

Vine Types - Twining Twining vines wind their stems around any available support Climb best on Trellises Constructed with sturdy, durable material

Vine Types – Clinging Small root like holdfasts Trees, walls, rough surfaces Do not place on framed wall buildings

WHY USE VINES? Screening a view Softening a hardscape (i.e. chain link fence) Creating an entrance As a groundcover Fit into small spaces Attract wildlife Conserve energy

Oh yeah, and for swinging

Aristolochia grandiflora Pelican Flower characterized by the outlandish shape of the flower Attract insects through scent trapping them and using them for pollination

Bignonia “capreolata “ Cross Vine Flowering Vine Tendrils Full Sun Low amounts of water Fast growing Tangerine Beauty

Bougainvillea sp. Bougainvillea Full sun Thorny Vigorous grower Many flower colors

Clytostoma callistegioides” Purple Painted Trumpet Vine Drought resistant and virtually pest free. Bright sunlight or filtered shade

Lonicera “sempervirens” Red / Yellow Honeysuckle Twining or trailing woody vine Prefers full sun, but tolerates partial shade. Drought tolerant Hummingbirds and butterflies Native

Mandevilla splendens Mandevilla Full sun to partial shade Long blooming period Moderately salt tolerant

Passiflora incarnata Passion Vine Native Full sun Fast growing Larval plant for butterflies Large purple/white flowers

Petrea volbulis Queen’s Wreath Native to Caribbean Needs support Fast growing Blooms often- best in spring Part shade/sun Blue/lavender color resembling wisteria

Solanum jasminoides ‘’Variegata’ Variegated Potato Vine Rapid Growth Full to partial shade Can’t climb on it’s own Groundcover Rapid Growth

Trachelospermum jasminoides Confederate Jasmine Full sun to partial shade Low amounts of water & fertilizer Trellis or fence Aromatic in spring Variegated variety

Thunbergia mysorensis Clock Vine Full sun to partial shade Fantastic for high Pergola because of how they drip down Attracts Hummingbirds

Thunbergia grandiflora Bengal Clock Vine Full sun to shade Needs water and fertilizer in the summer Vigorous grower

Floors

Ground Covers Plants that grow up to a height of several inches to 3 feet and that spread over the soil area are considered to be ground covers." Prostrate in growth Clumping Low growing shrubs

Why Use Groundcovers? Turf Alternative Massing provides coverage for large areas Inhibits weed growth Enhances beauty / usefulness of the landscape Create interesting contrast in texture / color Unifying element

Agapanthus africanus Lily of the Nile Full sun 2’-3’ in height, there are dwarf varieties Flowers are attractive to wildlife

Aspidistra elatior Cast Iron Plant Dark green foliage Excellent background Variegated variety Grows in shade 12” to 18” ht. clumping

Bromeliaceae spp. Bromeliad Some grow in sun and some need shade Well-drained soil 2” – 36” in height

Caladium bicolor Fancy Leaf Caladium Tuberous, upright spreading perennial Full sun to partial shade Bedding plant or edging

Coreopsis leavenworthii Tickseed 3 feet in height They do best in full sun at the edge of moist areas. Bloom in spring & summer Clumped in mass

Gaillardia pulchella Blanket Flower 11/2 feet in height Full sun Well drained soil loves the beach Propagate by seed, division or clumping

Hemerocallis spp. Daylily Great bedding plant especially in area that receives no supplemental irrigation Lots of varieties Rust

Juniperus spp. Juniper Full sun Well-drained soil Ranges in height from 6” to 18”

Liriope muscari Lilyturf Full sun to shade 12”-18” in height Small flowers in summer Use in mass

Salvia coccinea Scarlet Sage 2’ to 4’ in height Reseeds easily Upright growth Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies Full sun to partial shade

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis Dwarf Porterweed Sprawling Low- growing native groundcover 2-3’ tall Native Full sun to partial shade

Stokesia laevis Stokes Aster 2 feet in height Partial sun Drought tolerant Dead head to keep blooming

Zamia floridana Coontie Native Plant in Mass Large female cones Sun/shade Well-drained soils Slow growing

Thank you Mondo grass