I’m always fascinated by people’s creativity with growing plants in the landscape.
My husband and I were driving around Mare Island recently and noticed this purple vine growing on wires more than 2-3 stories high. In this bleak, industrial section of the island, someone thought to create beauty by allowing this blue morning glory (Ipomoea indica) to grow freely on those wires.
A few weeks later, we were in Suisun Valley, and I noticed an attractive vertical planting. Imagine my surprise when I realized that it was not a vine at all. It is a Japanese euonymus (Euonymus japonicus), a common landscape shrub. There are two plants on each side growing inside a rectangular planter. Looking closely, the vertical structure/trellis resembles an upright pallet, painted the same color as the planter to create a cohesive look. I can imagine that it requires some careful pruning to keep it within bounds. But it was a fun little surprise to me.
I have my own “creative” plant set-up. It is a dragonfruit (Selenicereus undatus) growing against the side and top of the chicken run. The run or pen structure provides support for the plant, and the dragonfruit provides extra protection for its occupants against climbing and aerial predators. It needs a little pruning back, especially on the inside, so the chickens and I don’t get pricked by the long stems. I am quite pleased with this setup, especially when we started getting fruit.
