VINE WARS

When you fall in love with the idea of planting a vine to cover that brand spanking new arbor you just built, plan on investing in at least a 7' standing ladder, expandable hand loppers and a 10' pole saw. As you carefully plant your baby vine,  I promise you, these items will be needed down the road after a number of peaceful years of clinging, twining and climbing. 

I didn't think planting smallish trees (Redbud, Japanese Maple, and Styrax) ten feet from my arbors would become attractive supports for my vines. The 20' growth habit of Carolina jessamine began taking over the Japanese Maple and the Styrax during the fourth year requiring an annual pruning and pulling of the twiner out of the trees. 

The Clematis armandii just wasn't satisfied with the 8' tall arbor I built for it and clambered 18' ( exceeding it's suggested 12-15' ht.) into an Oklahoma Redbud. I guess a Vine will be .... a Vine... DUH!

After 10 years the vines had built up to a 6" layer of tangled vines and dead leaves completely covering the arbors. This mat of vegetation supported a thriving wildlife habitat including, last spring,  a nesting pair of Mourning Doves. 

Above is a before (1991 left) and after (2015 right) 

Now, the summer 'jungle' of vegetation is pressing in and I've decided to get ruthless, release the trees and let the sun shine through the rafters once again.  (The fledgling birds have departed.)

On one of  the arbors I had originally planted a Mermaid Rose. Falling in love with the charm if it's name and the lovely pale yellow single form of it's flowers. I was convinced at age 45 I would be able to manage her forever. She proved to be too aggressive an adversary in short order with her ungainly stems and claw-like thorns. I removed Ms. 'Mermaid' in the year 2000.  After enjoying Her last blooming breath of spring bloom, out came the 2" X 2" supporting rafters along with my 10' pole saw and the Mermaid Rose. 

Above, loose rafters dropping to the ground

Rafters looking like a giant pick up sticks game.  

Let me explain:  the (12) 2" X 2" treated lumber rafters rest on the beams of the arbor unattached by hardware. this allows easy access to the plants that overgrow the arbor. 

When the rafters are removed by sliding them out I use a pole saw to cut out the huge square of matted vegetation near the beams. It's like a huge piece of cake.  

A big cart placed underneath the arbor catches it in one piece and it is then easily hauled off into the rough woods. 

I'm using this same technique to cut back the Carolina jessamine. As I cut I hear the voice of Rosanna, a friend of mine who was the Garden Leader in the Lath House at the JCRA in Raleigh, NC. Her reverberating plea was, "No more vines, no more vines". Shall I leave a tiny note near the arbor like the little mice in Beatrix Potter's "The Tailor of Gloucester" .... "No more twist, no more twist."? 

Above are the recent cuts to the Gelsemium sempervirens close to the top of the arbor.  Below, the job is finished letting more light into the garden.  It will be curious to record the recovering growth of the Carolina jessamine. 

Because, I have to admit, the effect was magical with it's  heady spring scent in the entrance courtyard.  I will be looking forward to the beautiful vision of the arbor with "the fringe on top."