We have decided to allow the Wisteria to return to its normal perch on one of the patio covers. I took a piece of scrap wood and leaned it against the patio cover to give the vine something to adhere to. Yes, those are stilts in the background, designed and built by a seven year old, who is pretty damn good on them.
The one disappointment is that the Wisteria was close to 10 years old, I believe, when we took it out and had quite a bit of character to it. Now, we'll be starting over. Keep in mind the "Greenhorn" portion of this blog. We all learn from our mistakes. And, no Greenhorn is not referring to a venereal disease. Remember the gutter people. We're from America, different meaning.
This is the patio cover it will eventually cover.
In the past, the vine has completely covered this patio cover by the end of the summer. We'll need to be sure to keep it trimmed to keep it from grabbing onto the house. In the meantime, lesson learned.
I respect a man who flirts with danger! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kyna. A regular James Bond, I am.
ReplyDeleteI hear what you are saying about letting plants to grow on a house. Last year, I planted a couple of climbing hydrangeas at the garage wall. Then, I read a post about them and how they attach to the walls. I started to think... I was thinking til I saw the first signs of "attachement". When I pulled the branch away from the wall, the browm marks stayed there. I couldn't clean them off. At that point I dug out both plants and moved them close to the trees. I think your pergola will be beautiful in no time. Those vines grow fast! You sleep, but they grow...
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I killed a wisteria. Its fairly easy if you live in the Chicago burbs. A little watering neglect, plunging temperatures and death surely follows. I like your idea of covering the patio. It'll be very pretty and the bees will love the blooms.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, things just need a fresh start. Even plants. As you said, you can train it away from the house this way. I hope it blooms beautifully for you.
ReplyDeleteDear Turling, Such vandalism! I should kill to have an ancient Wisteria growing against the walls of the house, and who cares about any possible damage to the fabric? None of us is going to live for ever! That said, I am delighted to see that you are starting again.
ReplyDeleteTatyana, we'll see how this second go around turns out. If I can stay on top of it and keep it just on the patio cover, I think I'll be ok.
ReplyDeleteUDG, if I had to live anywhere with "plunging temperatures" I would kill everything.
Sherlock, I agree. I'm going to try to train it a different direction then the previous in an attempt to cut down on the, er, cutting down throughout the summer.
Edith, I know. I kick myself every time I walk by it now.
I agree with your first thought. No plants on the house (or even right up against the house). A neighbor at our last house had window screens torn by rampant wisteria, and even discovered some growing INSIDE his attic! On the upside, your pergola is wood, and as that wood starts to decay, the wisteria now will be able to hold it up!
ReplyDeleteI love wisteria but definitely see your point. If I grew one, I would be on somewhere far away from the house.
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