Screen Plantings

By Lindsay Bond Totten
Scripps Howard News Service

Unless you live in the country, it's probably happened at one time or another: a neighbor has built, planted or pruned something objectionable on his side of the fence.

It's entirely legal--he has the permit to prove it--but the impact on your garden is profound. What if that something is a fence? Worse yet, a fence of the chain-link variety? Yikes!

A screen planting is in order, but that will take time. Quick! Can we draft some vines to cover it up in a hurry? You bet. But first, consider the ultimate goal. (Besides, a deep breath will calm you.) Your decision will help determine what type of vines to choose, saving you time and money in the end.

If the screen planting in front of the fence will be dense and permanent someday, choose fast-growing annual vines to provide temporary relief. If a plan green "wall" is your goal, a perennial vine may be more appropriate. Just remember, you'll have to get back there to maintain it, so leave yourself some room.

Annual vines offer the quickest cover and maximum color in a climbing plant. They're fun and vigorous and interesting and sprightly, and, wait a minute ... That's just the opposite of what you need to draw attention away from that ugly fence!

Compelling splashes of yellow, orange and red will constantly remind you of their purpose. The eye just can't resist their neon lead. Perhaps the quiet colors are better. Blue, purple, pink and white speak more softly, while their foliage subtly engages the fence in a game of peek-a-boo.

Hyacinth bean vine (Lablab purpureus) has all of the necessary qualifications: rapid growth, dark green leaves infused with purple and handsome sweet-smelling lavender blooms followed by purple-black pods.

The silken shades of morning glory (Ipomoea spp.) can be mixed, or planted in single colors. Sky blue is still the favorite, but deep purple, lavender and antique rose are available as well.

Close cousin to the morning glory is moonvine (Ipomoea alba), with special features that recommend it for the task at hand. During the day, vigorous heart-shaped leaves are unadorned. But at dusk, flower buds unfurl to reveal large pure white trumpets with a delicious fragrance.

If that sounds too conspicuous, consider that chain-link fencing tends to "disappear" at night. The combination could be serendipitous for families who enjoy their gardens in the evenings.

Subtle vines don't have to be boring. Consider cup-and-saucer vine (Cobaea scandens). A new variety called "Key Lime" displays elegant pale green bells on long twining stems. Flowers of "Royal Plum" mature from green to a rich purple.

Annual vines need lots of sun to grow quickly and bloom well. Cup-and-saucer vine is the most tolerant of light shade, though blooming may be reduced.

All of the annual vines mentioned can be grown from seed sown directly into warm, well-prepared soil. If time is of the essence, start seeds indoors several weeks before the last frost date and transplant the seedlings into the garden after a week of hardening off.

Perennial vines take much longer to mature, though once the roots are established, several of them will grow rapidly. Don't give in to the temptation to over plant. Chain-link is sturdy, but eventually woody vines like wisteria, trumpet vine and climbing hydrangea will pull the wire apart and destroy the fence if planted too close together.

Among the fastest-growing perennial climbers are hardy kiwivine (Actinidia kolomikta), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) Dutchman's pipe (Arisolochia durior), hops vine (Humulus lupulus) five leaf akebia (Akeia quinata) and porcelainberry (Ampelosis brevipedunculata).

Though lovely, the last two are shunned by many horticulturists for being invasive. The tasty berries are eaten by birds and the seeds distributed far and wide. "Escaped" vines are becoming a nuisance in some regions.

Can you be a little more patient? Both English ivy (Hedera helix) and wintercreeper (Euonymus fortuneii Vegetus) will accommodate, given time. For the fastest coverage in an evergreen vine, select "Thorndale" ivy. Large leaves and exceptional hardiness make this variety worth searching for.

Wintercreeper is semi-evergreen in the more northerly portions of the country. During normal seasons, the foliage will last till mid winter before finally falling. In mild winters, the vine may stay green till spring. "Greenlane" is an excellent new variety, slightly slower growing than "Vegetus," with handsome medium-green foliage that forms a tight screen.

Finally, gardeners desperate to hide an eyesore can play a little visual trick of their own. A few feet in front of the offensive chain-link fence, erect tall sturdy sections of wooden or metal lattice. Grow pretty flowering vines on these as well, in bright colors if you wish. These panels will draw the eye forward and create the illusion that the chain-link fence is further away than it really is. Try it--it really works!

(Lindsay Bond Totten, a horticulturist, writes about gardening for Scripps Howard News Service.)