How to Grow a Garden Vertically

A vertical garden can start with a simple trellis.

A garden doesn't need acreage to bring enjoyment. Just grow up -- up a wall, that is. Vertical gardens that take advantage of bare walls and fences need very little space. Equate this style of gardening with hanging pictures on a family room wall. They add decoration without taking up floor space. Wherever yard space is limited, a vertical garden is one way to add living color and texture.

Things You'll Need

• Clinging and trailing vines
• Hanging planters
• Trellis
• Bare wall or fence
• Pots
• Potting soil
• Assortment of flowering perennials or annuals

Instructions

1. Choose a bare wall or fence that faces south or west and receives full sun.

2. Attach a trellis to the wall, covering the middle third of the wall or fence space. The trellis can be suspended on hooks, if pushing it into the ground does not provide adequate support. Always install the trellis before planting any climbing vines, which can be damaged if the trellis is installed after they're planted.

3. Plant a climbing vine beneath the trellis, either in a pot or directly in the soil. Plants such as climbing rose, climbing hydrangea, trumpet vine or clematis will grow up the trellis, providing a wall of color.

4. Place large pots or containers on either side of the trellis. Fill with potting soil. Plant patio trees such as ficus, calamondin, palms or other tall plants in the pots flanking the trellis.

5. Plant a mix of flowering perennials on the strip of ground in front of the wall. Choose plants that thrive in full sun in colors that appeal to you. Daffodils, dianthus, salvia, echinacea, Shasta daisies or catmint are a few options. Cover the perennial bed with bark mulch to control weeds and hold in moisture.

6. Water the plants regularly during the first year. Fertilize in the spring. After the plantings are established, water only during prolonged dry periods.

7. Attach hanging planters to the wall or fence with sturdy hooks, if more color is desired. Fill the planters with potting soil and trailing plants such as creeping jenny, spreading coleus or Wave petunias. The hanging pots add another dimension, and additional color and texture, during the warm months.

Tips & Warnings

• If climbing roses are planted at the base of the trellis, remember that they are not true vines and need help attaching themselves. They produce long canes that should be tied to the trellis to keep the roses secured and climbing.

• English ivy (Hedera helix) is a natural climber and will make its way up any vertical surface. If there is a spot of bare wall that needs to be covered, plant English ivy at the bottom of it. A wall of living greenery results.

• Do not use wisteria to climb the trellis attached to the wall. Though it is a beautiful and romantic climbing plant, wisteria requires an extremely sturdy, self-standing pergola or other heavy structure for support. Wisteria becomes quite heavy and has been known to rip gutters from houses or crush wooden trellises.

References

• WSU Clark County Extension; Vertical Gardening; June 2005
• ''Southeast Home Landscaping''; Roger Holmes & Rita Buchanan; 2006
• ''Taylor's Guide to Growing North America's Favorite Plants''; Barbara W. Ellis; 1998