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Only one caution must be
observed: keep the design open and simple, making sure that it will
integrate well with the lines of your house. And, of course, never forget
that a trellis is primarily a vehicle for the support of vining plants, and
only secondarily is it an entertainment for the eye.
. . . the vine for your trellis
Most vines, like most children, are charming and inoffensive when
they are small and youthful, but within a few years they may become
veritable Frankensteins of monster proportions. But also like children,
most vines, even rampant ones like wistaria or the trumpet vine, can be
kept within bounds and relatively civilized by exercising care and
discipline. Pruning shears in a firm hand will keep them at bay, and will
even benefit wistaria, forcing it to bloom well. Trumpet vines may grow
sulky and throw up more shoots from the roots making you think the
"Frankenstein" story has changed into the "Legend of the Dragon's
Teeth." In any case, pruning is a chore under which you will chafe in
years to come, so it is well to outwit it right at the beginning by choosing some light-weight, less rampant, and less demanding vine, possibly
an annual one.
Roses, of course, leap to the mind when a trellis is mentioned. It is
a delight to see the wayward curves of a climbing rose threading its
way through the crisp architectural lines of a good-looking trellis. If a
pillar rose is planted, rather than one of the ramping cumbers which
may go up as high as twenty feet or more, the rose will not get out of
bounds but will beautifully clothe your trellis with its blossoms, with
a minimum of pruning on your part. Ever-blooming roses, such as
Dream Girl, American Pillar, Summer Snow, or any of the other excellent modern roses, are obtainable from all good nurserymen. Yearly
praning, as recommended by your nurseryman when you buy them, will
keep them strong and blossoming as you want them to do.
Clematis is another lovely vine, airy, light in weight, and with a
wealth of fine flowers once it is established. It offers a good choice
of color, time of bloom, and size of blossom. It blooms best when its
roots are shaded, so a planting of low shrubs or perennial flowers to perform this function will protect it during the heat of summer. Perhaps
you would like to plant two clematis of different colors on the same
trellis to bloom at the same time, or to follow one another so that blooming time is extended. Consult your nurseryman for his recommendations
for your particular area. A light-weight trellis is adequate for clematis
in most cases, for it is a light-weight vine.
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