Looking for suggestions :)

17 years ago

I haven't gotten any gardens established at my house yet, but I adore the cottage look. Since we moved into this house I was working on the interior (since it will now get neglected for the garden... lol) and was undoing all of the ick the previous owner had in the yard (lots of invasives, weed block and river rock in all the beds, random sickly palms in awkward places... odd stuff). I have some beautiful oaks, but most of the other had to go.

Anyway... our house has no front porch or gutter (YET!) and when it is raining you get soaked trying to open the door. I am putting in flower beds by the door and am going to put a small arbor over the stoop, with a piece of plexiglass on top to keep rain off of you when opening the door.

I'm trying to decide what to plant on the lattice along the sides. It is mostly sun, some light shade on one side for part of the day. South facing house... so its warm. I live in 9b FL... so it is hot. I don't mind something that needs water, since its right by the door... but nothing too picky. I don't want roses here (on another arbor later I will) and eventually it'll get moved so we can put on a proper porch. So what do you think, a clematis of some sort? I'm super indecisive... lol... so I thought I'd throw it out there.

Also, I need a vine that will grow in shade for another area. To act as a screen/privacy barrier. Any ideas for that?

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (6)

iris_gal
17 years ago
Do Mandevillas (sp?) do well in your area?
little_dani
17 years ago
Butterfly vine for privacy screen! I have it on a 4' chain link fence with a light weight chain swagged across the top to give it additional height. The butterfly vine covers it chain and all.

It is evergreen, blooms little yellow flowers, which make seed pods that look like lime green butterflies. These dry to golden yellow, and will keep for years. My friend paints them with acrylic paint and attaches them to stakes, to put in her pots.
{{gwi:685284}}
This is the bloom. The foliage next to the bloom is a salvia, the butterfly vine is in the background.
This shows a messy back yard, but this was taken right before DH whacked back everything in this bed. A little grooming makes this a very nice screen. This screen allows us to use our hot tub without the neighbor's children viewing us.
{{gwi:685285}}
For the front, a shell pea vine is very pretty and very ladylike. She blooms royal blue, kind of a sweet pea looking flower, and is very non-aggressive in my garden. I love this vine, and I have lots of seeds, if you would like to have some.

Mandevilla would also be pretty, as would cleradendron "Bleeding Heart", or this Mexican Flame vine.
{{gwi:685286}}
Good luck with your search. I am sure you will make the perfect choice.

Janie

Here is a link that might be useful: shell pea vine
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turtlelakegardens
Original Author
17 years ago
Iris Gal... Yes, I was just noticing a very pretty red one that my mother has growing yesterday. I do think they're very pretty.

Janie... thanks for the pictures and suggestions! I would LOVE some seed for the butterfly vine... I think I'll give it a shot in that area. Oddly enough we want it for hot tub privacy as well! Send me an email (I'll try and send you one as well) and maybe I have something you'd like or I'll send BEAP. I love your pathway in the bottom photo :)
stage_rat
17 years ago
You could also grow Corkscrew vine in your sunny spot, which is supposed to be very fragrant.
turtlelakegardens
Original Author
17 years ago
I would love to do corkscrew vine... if I could just find the darned thing... lol
stage_rat
17 years ago
I was ready to buy some corkscrew vine seeds on Ebay a few months ago, but I actually got them in a seed swap! People on Ebay also sell the plants. If there's a Florida forum on GW, you could ask if anyone knows of local nurseries that sell them. I hope that helps.