VINES 
FOR DWELLINGS 
C. L. BURKHOLDER 
Associate in Horticultural Extension, Purdue University 
Quickest Furnishing Effects to Soften or Embellish Harsh Lines, Screen 
Unsightly Objects, and Establish Harmony Between Old and New 
HE two vines adapted to the greatest variety of condi- 
tions and uses are Boston Ivy and Virginia Creeper. 
The Virginia Creeper or Five-leafed Ivy as it is 
sometimes called, grows wild in most localities in the 
central and extreme northern United States. It is a rapid, 
vigorous grower if given even average care and will in many 
cases make fifteen to twenty feet of growth the first year it is 
planted. It makes an excellent porch vine, and is not of such 
dense character as to completely shut out the breezes, as does the 
Matrimony Vine for instance. In the fall the leaves turn a deep 
crimson, and after a year or two of growth the vine produces a 
very attractive crop of black berries which persist the greater 
part of the winter. A very satisfactory way to use Virginia 
Creeper is to carry it up to the top of the porch on a narrow 
trellis and run it along under the eaves; this can be easily done 
by tacking a six-inch strip of ornamental mesh fencing along 
the top of the porch for it to cling to. The graceful pendent 
sprays of the creeper can, with a little attention, be made to 
screen any desired portion of the veranda. 
VIRGINIA CREEPER 
A single summer’s growth of two plants is here 
shown, conclusively proving the abundant energy of 
this creeper and its value as a quick-result getter 
This vine also makes a serviceable foundation planting; and 
after amply covering the base of the dwelling this lusty 
creeper, undiscouraged, will climb to the roof of the porch, which 
it fringes with delicate tendrils of all lengths. Such a use 
increases the attractiveness of the exterior of the house at least 
fifty per cent, and at the slight cost of about a dollar. 
Where an objectionable view or boundary fence spoils what 
would otherwise be beautiful grounds the Virginia Creeper can 
be brought into effective play. A plant every twelve or fifteen 
feet will soon entirely cover a fence or trellis. 
Sometimes a fine entrance is marred by an unsightly telephone 
pole, and again the creeper can be used to cover its nakedness 
with a mass of beautiful foliage. The Virginia Creeper will not 
climb a telephone pole unaided ; however, a spiral strip of chicken 
fencing wrapped around the pole makes an excellent support. In 
this respect the Englemann Creeper, which is a self-climbing and 
self-supporting form of the common creeper, is superior; it clings 
to its support just as does the Boston Ivy. 
The Boston Ivy is perhaps the best of the tightly clinging 
Ivies. It will attach itself firmly to any hard, smooth surface. 
The foliage is large, three lobed and dark, glossy green in color. 
It will not ordinarily stand continual exposure to the direct 
rays of the sun and therefore should not be planted on the south 
side of a house unless the walls are partly shaded. The Boston 
Ivv (Ampelopsis, or Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is a Japanese 
plant that became popular almost “over-night” as the saying 
goes. It never winter-kills as does the English Ivy and, while 
not a rapid grower the first season, will grow three or four times 
as fast as the English Ivy; although the latter has the advantage 
of holding its dark green color till the middle of the winter, and 
south of the Ohio River throughout the winter. 
There is a certain monotony about a plain, flat wall be it of 
wood, stone, cement, stucco, or brick. The harsh, straight-line 
effect often produced by these materials may be entirely changed 
by the use of a few plants of Boston Ivy. For such locations the 
Boston Ivy is usually to be preferred to the Virginia Creeper. 
Satisfactory Flowering Vines 
I F THE preference be for vines that also have flowers, Hall’s 
Japanese Honeysuckle, which blooms several times during 
the summer, is justly celebrated for its fragrance. The J apanese 
Clematis (C. paniculata) is about the only vine blooming pro- 
fusely in the fall that is both hardy and a fairly rapid grower. 
The Virgin Bower (Clematis virginiana) is also especially 
good. Wisterias are esteemed favorites. Wisteria multijuga is 
no doubt the best: the purple Wisteria chinensis is the most 
widely known variety, and is unsurpassed in its class for heavy 
trellises and pergolas. 
Planting and Feeding 
V INES of all kinds grow more rapidly if planted a foot or 
more away from the wall of the house or porch. It is not 
advisable to put any manure around the roots when planting, 
but manure should be spread around the plant on top of the 
ground immediately after planting; a bushel of manure to each 
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