I should have taken a better picture. This is one from last summer but in reality every summer is the same story. I cut the Solanum jasminoides over there on the fence back pretty severely in the spring and before I know it it has grown back up into the neighbor's redwoods, which unfortunately grow almost right up against the fence. They provide an excellent support for the solanum which then hangs down from the tops 30 or so feet in the air. The picture shows the covered trellis but not the curtain of tendrils climbing to the sky. Last weekend as I hooked vines with a hoe and pulled them earthward it occurred to me that this plant has outlived its purpose.
And with that thought I started chopping. When this potato vine was planted the bed against the fence was about 3 feet deep. In the winter this section of fence was the main view from the family room and I hated the blank fence with no green to relieve it. Now the bed angles from 10 feet down to 7 feet at the narrowest spot.
There are plenty of other evergreen plants to ease the winter doldrums. The potato vine had to go. And when it did I found the lost trellis. Not that I had been looking for it; I knew it was there I just hadn't seen it in a long time.
Rosa Berries and Cream gets to stay and will need a little tender loving care now that she is uncovered.
I didn't take the solanum's trunk out. I need to make a decision....let it come back and keep it better behaved or exterminate it entirely. I am not sure, however, that it is capable of regenerating into a well behaved plant. It might be too much of a predator.
8 comments:
Wow, you took out a lot of green stuff. I'll be waiting to find out what covers that trellis in the future!
Winter does a lot of pruning for us. I can't imagine a vine that vigorous, except for maybe bindweed. (Shudder)
Wow, what a difference! Vines tend to run rampant here so I don't plant many of them. I vote for banishing the Solanum entirely!
One of the most difficult things we face as gardeners is editing. If something is growing vigorously it's a good thing, right? Well, not always. But it's a hard thing to tame Mother Nature. Good move, Leslie.
The rose is darling and will be so happy on The Lost Trellis! You won't miss the vine!
It looks so much better! Out with the potato, I think you can find something more interesting, perhaps with colorful foliage, or a nice climbing rose to keep the little one company.
Your story reminds me of my challenges with autumn clematis. I've pulled it by the roots, cut it back, etc. I still can't get rid of it. Your trellis looks great Leslie.~~Dee
It is painful, but I have gritted my teeth and gotten rid of a couple of boistrous plants including a rugosa that was right in the middle of our front lawn when we moved here. It took me years! Beautiful rose.
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