Iron Trellises Worthy of Passion Vines
By Dianne Benson, author of Dirt: The Lowdown on Growing a Garden with Style
I have not yet met any single plant — let alone a vine — that is as awe-inspiring and heart-stopping as a passion vine (Passiflora).
Passiflora passion and trellises
If I had the pleasure of living in a climate hospitable to growing these exquisite creatures in the ground — I would have many more varieties than the four I now proudly boast.
But my four are just heaven…as they should be, given their highly graphic, if not religious significance (stamens are the Holy Trinity, corolla the Crown of Thorns, and so on).
One oversized, mauvey, multi-colored beauty resides in a biggish terracotta pot and grows at the sunniest end of the grape arbor on a rather graceless piece of lumber
The frilliest passion flower has the terrible job of scrambling over a deer fence which is impossible to beautify
But it is the remaining two passion vines that are much happier because they are growing — as they should be — on handsome trellises. As this emblematic, exotic plant sends out amazing curlicue tendrils (another Passion of Christ reference), its ability to climb on and arrange itself around a trellis is unsurpassed.
A trellis is better than a lattice or a fence
The framework of a trellis can be fanciful or straightforward, right-angled or tripartite, pillared or domed, intricate or simple
The very best selection I can find is here at H. Potter where they have all of the above and more — there is one trellis with hanging bells that seems exceptionally delightful — style and garden sounds at the same time.
Made of strong iron, they are coated with a special finish that is not brown or green or gray, but a totally neutral color that fits perfectly into the garden palette — even when it is brand new and before it is covered with passion or any other vines.
The one pictured is the Leaf Trellis; the next that I have my heart set on are the Pillar Trellis or the Onion Dome. You will be thrilled when you see what a difference they make in your own garden. And what’s even better — some designs are now available at a sale price…treat yourself….
East Hampton, New York
19 September 2010
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