How to Grow Vine Plants

Wisteria Vine

Wisteria. Honeysuckle. Clematis. Trumpet vine. Hyacinth Bean Pod Vines. Not only are these vine beautiful to look at, they can be useful plants, covering a fence, porch or tree trunk. If planted at the base of an arbor or pergola, the mature vine can provide shade. Growing vines are no more difficult than other garden plants, but due to their potentially large size, prepare for the vine before purchasing them.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Soil testing kit
• Lime or sulfur
• Compost or decayed manure
• Water
• Mulch
• Pruning shears (optional)
• Something for the vine to climb on (optional)
• Something to secure the vine (optional)
• Plant food (depends upon vine)
• Pesticide and fungicide (depends upon plant)

Instructions

1. Select the site for the vine. Test the soil; this will help determine what vine to plant. Certain vines grow well in any type of soil, while others need a particular type. Watch the sunlight to determine how much sun the site receives and whether it gets more morning or evening sun.

2. Determine which vine to plant. Some things to take into consideration are the height of the mature plant, how much care is involved with it, whether it is an evergreen, and whether it flowers. If you want the vine to completely cover a fence, determine how many plants you will need based upon the size of the mature plant. Doug Green's Beginner Gardening has a list of different vines.

3. Prepare the soil for the vine. Dig up the soil and remove any weeds, rocks or other garden debris. Depending upon the vine's requirements, add either lime or sulfur to amend the soil's pH level. If the vine needs a rich soil, dig in generous amounts of compost or decayed manure. It's best if this can be done several weeks before planting, in order to give the organic matter time to amend the soil.

4. Plant the vine. Dig a hole that is larger than the plant's container. Remove the vine from the container and put it in the hole. Fill the hole half full with soil and add water to settle the soil around the root ball. Finish filling the hole with soil and tamp down gently to remove air bubbles. Water again to settle the soil. Space any other vine plants according to their mature width. If the vine is not being planted near a fence, lamp post or porch rail, place a trellis, pergola or other object to support the vine.

5. Water the vines every day until they are established and new growth emerges. Then water according to the vine's requirements. Once new growth appears, apply a general plant food. Watch for any sign of disease or pests and treat with an organic or chemical fungicide or pesticide.

6. When the vine is large enough to send out tendrils, move them to reach their support. Handle the vines carefully when moving them, so as not to damage the delicate tendrils.

References

• The Complete Garden Flower Book; Catie Ziller, Publisher; 2001
• Birds and Blooms-Landscaping with Vines

Resources

• Doug Green's Beginner Gardening-Vines
• Hume Seeds-Vines