Do you have an area in your yard that you want to block from the prying eyes of a neighbor, a roadway, or public park? There is no better solution than adding a vertical garden to create an outdoor privacy screen. A vertical garden is a line of foliage and/or a barrier of flowers trained to grow up a vertical structure like a trellis. Vertical gardens add privacy to outdoor areas such as decks, patios, and porches.
The first step in creating a vertical garden is to measure out the area you want to block and to consider what you want the end result to be. Do you want your vertical garden to be a permanent property addition or something short lived for just one season? Considerations will be time to grow, desired height and width, and whether or not you need winter coverage. For something short lived, you may want to consider annual climbing vines such as morning glory or moonflower.
Morning glory is an annual flowering vine that can be planted from seed in the springtime, as soon as risk of frost has passed. Morning glory is a rapid grower that can climb to massive proportions by late summer and will continue to flourish into the fall. Morning glory is known for its showy flowers that come in a variety of colors.
Moonflower is another annual flowering vine that is in the same family as the morning glory, but with much larger flowers. As the name would suggest, moonflower blooms at night, making your garden very fragrant in the evening. Moonflower is generally started from seed and will also grow quickly, lasting all summer and into the fall months. There are various colors of moonflower blossoms to choose from.
For a permanent vertical garden that won’t need to be replanted year after year, some other choices might be clematis or Virginia creeper.
Clematis is a perennial flowering vine that is sometimes tropical looking. Some varieties are hardy to Zone 4, withstanding seasonal variations from -30 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Some other varieties of clematis do well as far south as Zones 9 or 10. Clematis are a unique plant that prefers full sun on its leaves, but likes its feet to stay cool and shaded. This can be easily accomplished by planting a small bush or other plant at the base of the vine. Clematis will get larger and hardier each year, as the root structure grows.
Virginia creeper is a perennial foliage vine that may make an excellent choice. It features dark green leaves that turn to brilliant shades of red and orange in the fall. Virginia creeper also produces tiny green flowers that are followed by purplish-black berries. These berries are a source of food for birds and will make the climbing vine a winter haven for many species, including Cardinals that love the berries. Virginia creeper is a climber that grows by suckers, giving it the ability to follow your fence or trellis without your having to tie or clip the foliage to train it.
These are just a few examples of planting choices for your vertical garden. Take time to research the specific needs of your gardening zone. Talk to other local gardeners or consult your Agricultural extension office. This will allow you to make an informed decision so you can enjoy your vertical garden investment to the fullest.
