A Gardener’s Diary
A few words about climbers, an invaluable group of plants which can cover up anything unsightly like concrete, soften the most angular of structures, and raise the general level of flowering plants in the garden. The following list of climbers and scramblers are in my view amongst the very best for the tropical collection. Just tick off how many you have in yours, and think yourself lucky if you have half a dozen, and rich beyond words if you have more. My personal star rating of their qualities is as follow: Five stars is the best, although all are very good.
Beaumontia grandifolia (Evergreen and white flowers)***
Stephanotis floribunda (Bridal flower, evergreen, white flowered and heavily scented)*****
Thunbergia grandiflora (Evergreen and blue. Also a white flowered form)***
Jasminum grandiflorum (Evergreen and white star-like scented flowers)***
Solandra (Chalice vine – Evergreen and creamy white flowers)***
Lonicera japonica (Normally evergreen with heavily scented yellow flowers)***
Bignonia unguis-cati (Cat’s claw creeper, spectacular masses of yellow flowers)****
Bignonia venusta (Evergreen, spectacular orange/yellow tubular flowers)*****
Combretum coccineum (Scrambler, spectacular scarlet bottle-brush type flowers)***
Passiflora quadrangularis (Best in dappled light. Spectacular flowers larger than grenadine)***
Norantea guianensis (Evergreen climber/scrambler, scarlet flowers prolific in right position)***
Ipomoea horsfalliae (Funnel-shaped pink flowers with red stripes)**.
Ipomea learii (Large bright blue flowers)**
Adenocalymna (Onion vine, prolific growing and flowering )*****
Hoya carnosa (Evergreen, scented and a collector’s plant)**
Quisqualis indica (Strong heavily scented flower clusters changing from white to wine red)****
Thunbergia alata (Black eyed susie. Prolific flowers, great on fences, poor as defence)****
Bougainvillea (Great defence plant, spectacular flowers in dry season particularly)*****
Asparagus plumosus (Evergreen spiny climber, popular for wedding bouquets)****
Cissus discolor (A shade climber, gorgeous leaves, becomes woody lower down)**
Philodendrons (Marvellous climbers from the deep rain forest – shade, shade, shade)** to ****
You will notice that only two of the plant types I recommend are really grown for their foliage, although they all flower. Perhaps the important things with all of these climbers is that they all (almost without exception) would thank you for providing shade for the ground about their roots.
This is because most, if not all of them, came from the shade, and grow as climbers in order to get to the light. Their natural life cycle is that they grow to the light to produce flowers. Then they seed. The seed then drops to the forest floor, and then they start to grow to the light again. Some like the Monstera seedlings first grow to the shade and then grow up to the light when they have found a suitable support.
In your garden climbers generally hate the ground to dry out, and will suffer a real setback if it does, (not so established bougainvilleas) and sometimes it’s a good idea to place a piece of plywood round/over their roots to prevent them drying out. Never place zinc sheeting over the roots. It’ll cook them. I suppose all of you will have worked it out that all plants originating from the rain forest, like most of the ferns, orchids, and so on, not only prefer shade but prefer the high humidity that comes with that territory. Shade plants therefore do appreciate syringing, and a damp atmosphere created by watering the benches and floors. If they don’t get it they languish.
As we are getting near Christmas it’s always a good idea to keep your tools clean and sharp. Wipe them down with a slightly oiled cloth. As always take care on the road and may your God go with you.