A STRONG ANSWER TO AN UNSIGHTLY PROBLEM (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

A STRONG ANSWER TO AN UNSIGHTLY PROBLEM

4:18pm Sunday 17th January 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

What better time of the year to be making plans on the best way to sort out problems in the garden. Do you look out onto an ugly fence, unsightly shed or a dead tree and want a quick fix? There are quite a few ways of dealing with this but it would be hard to find something that would do the job more quickly and efficiently than the commonly called Russian vine, equally well known as the ‘mile a minute’ vine (Fallopia species). This latter name gives a warning of the plant’s potential!

The Russian vine is a hardy and vigorous creeper that will quickly cover anything and everything with its twining stems which are covered with masses of white flowers from summer into autumn. Given the right conditions it has been known to grow up to 4m in just one season. Allowed its own way it will soon reach 12m which makes it invaluable for disguising anything in your garden that you want to be covered up. But, beware, such an active plant does need to be contained and used carefully. Just for instance, never plant it near a brick wall or any building with a tiled roof and guttering, the strong shoots will soon grow under tiles and guttering causing damage that can be both dangerous and expensive to repair. Also, don’t plant it near a healthy tree as it will soon be smothered and quite likely killed.

For best results plant in the spring in well-drained soil in a sunny position (partial shade will do), if you garden on heavy clay dig in lots of grit to improve drainage. Dig a hole wider than the rootball and deep enough so that you can plant a little deeper than before. Backfill with soil adding a handful of rose fertilizer. Keep well watered until established.

Russian vines do a good job of camouflaging large unsightly objects in the garden and can also be used to cover large areas of bare banks. To help keep the plant vigorous and at the same time restrict its spread prune the shoots when the leaves have dropped. Annual pruning is necessary to keep the plant within its allotted space. If keeping it in check isn’t a problem the only pruning necessary is to cut out any dead shoots that have accumulated underneath the living ones.

Given the right conditions these vines on the whole don’t suffer from pests and diseases. Your main problem could well be containing its growth. Don’t be put offer by its vigour, just be masterful and enjoy its beauty.