Annual Climbers Cloak Unsightly Corners

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31783, 13 September 1968, Page 6

Annual Climbers Cloak Unsightly Corners

The lover of annuals will be thinking of the annual bedding scheme and variations on last year’s display, but it is doubtful whether much consideration is given to the effectiveness of such plants as annual climbers, the very thing to hide the many unsightly corners, stumps and walls.

Usually climbing annuals only remain until the first frost, after which they can be cleared away. They provide as good a display of colour as their more earthbound counterparts, and the more vigorous ones will quickly produce a temporary screen to hide undesirable features in the garden. Before sowing the seed or planting the climbers some means of support should be provided. As they are only temporary, elaborate structures are not at all necessary and one of the most useful provisions in such a situation is wire netting. Alternatively a few lathes nailed together or even lengths of string can be utilised; even a few branches can be arranged to form climbing support for what they look like does not matter as they will soon be hidden by the growing plants. Annuals are generally less demanding in their soil requirements, providing that there is satisfactory drainage. A position in full sun is preferable, while protection from wind is desirable and it is as well to remember that the base of walls is generally very dry and receives little

direct rain. For this reason seeds or plants should not be top close, and watering should not be overlooked, at least until they are well established. In the early stages of development it is advisable to train the stems around the supports and an occasional tie may be useful. However, once the plants are growing strongly they will hold themselves up. Some suggested plantings are given below:

Ipomea (Morning Glory) produces spectacular flowers in many shades of red, blue and mauve. Although blooms are freely-produced they do not last long. This plant requires a warm position in full sun.

Cobaea scandens, cup and saucer climber or cathedral bells, is a rapidly-growing climber which can exceed 12ft in growth within one year. It is really a perennial but is treated as an annual. Its large bell-shaped flowers are produced in late summer to autumn and are violet blue or white.

Eccremocarpr. scaber, the Chilean glory vine, is another perennial which is treated as an annual, although in sheltered places it will survive the winter. This easily-grown plan*- produces masses of bright orange-red flowers about lin long from January and also has attractive foliage. Maurandia is yet another example of a plant which is

grown as an annual. This one is less hardy than any of those previously mentioned and must be given a warm spot to succeed. It is not a very vigorous grower and has flowers in shades of purple and lavender.

Thunbergia alata is known as black-eyed Susan because of the contrasting black centres to the white, buff or orange-coloured petals. It forms an easy to grow freeflowering climber suitable for hanging baskets as well as walls, etc. It is less rampant in growth and not over hardy in comparison to many others. Thunbergia gibsoni bears larger flowers up to 2in across, deep orange in colour, but they are not so abundantly produced.

Tropaeolum peregrinum, canary creeper, forms a hardy vigorous plant with attractive five-lobed leaves and fringed lemon-yellow flowers. Tropaeolum majus, better known as nasturtium, is one of the best-known climbing annuals and really requires no description. It should be noted, however, that flowering is greatly reduced where it is grown in rich soil and is usually replaced by excessive growth. Mina lobata is an interesting fragile-looking little climber with long lasting tube-like little flowers which at first are a striking red when in bud and then open to orange and cream.