The Magic Of Annual Vines

For the cost of a packet of seeds, you can quickly create a show stopping garden accent or a living hideaway for children, hide a rusty chain link fence or an unsightly garage wall, and turn an ordinary balcony into a private garden. Started from seeds, annual vines will scramble to heights of 20 feet or more, highlighting features you want to show off and covering eyesores.Here are just a few of the many uses for annual vines:- Add a litlte magic to your garden by planting a trellis or pole with brightly colored morning glories and moonflowers. You'll have a burst of brightly colored flowers during the day, and luminescent white blossoms at night.- Add shade and privacy to your balcony with annual vines. Because their root systems are limited, they can be grown in large planters on a trellis, or allwoed to trail from window boxes and huge hanging baskets.
The vretical growing habit will make a small area seem larger.- Annual vines are ideal for introducing your babies to the magic of gardening.
Build a teepee of bamboo or fallen tree branches, and plant with scarlet runner beans or tall nasturtiums. Your babies will like their colorful (and edible) hideaway while learning about the wonders of nature.- Plant climbing vines along chain link fences and light poles to soften the look of your landscape.- Annual vines will quickly blanket a trouble slope or other area that's difficult to mow with colorufl flowers. If your slope is difficult to plant, use a vine that will reesed itself such as morning glories or cardinal climbers.- Plant vines along a southern wall to keep the house cooler in summer. Annual vines are not hard to grow. They like a sunny location with good quality, well drianed soil.
Plant your seeds according to the package directions, and keep them evenly moist until they germinate.
After germination, you'll only need to water when the wetaher has been extremely hot or dry.

Use fertilizers sparingly. An abundance of nitrogen will encourage your vines to produce an abundance of dark green foliage and few flowers.Have your trellises or other support in place when you plant your seeds.
If you can't plant right next to the support, insert twigs into the soil next to the seeds to lead the vines to their intended support. If the vine can't find its support right away, it will waste time searching and reaching for somtehing to grab on to.Recommended Annual VinesBlack Eyed Susan Vine Unlike many climbing vines, this one isn't invasive so it can be incorporated into existing gardens without fear of crowding out existing plants.

It's a great chocie for hanging baskets and window boxes.
Height: 5' to 10' trailing vineCardinal Clibmer Vine The deep red flowers with white or yellow throats are sure to draw attention to your trellises, fences and poles. Height: 6' to 20' vineCypress Vine This vine can add a tropical texture to your landscape with its interesting foliage and mix of bright red, pink and white flowers. With the right conditions, it grows to 20 feet. Height: 8' to 10' vineHyacinth Bean Vine This striking vine will have your visitors asking if it's real!