Q. I recently moved to Pahrump and would like to grow
some vines to cover the east facing side of my home. I am considering Clematis which the nursery
says will grow in my zone but I am concerned that it is too hot here. Will they grow? Do you have suggestions for
vines other than trumpet vines?
some vines to cover the east facing side of my home. I am considering Clematis which the nursery
says will grow in my zone but I am concerned that it is too hot here. Will they grow? Do you have suggestions for
vines other than trumpet vines?
 |
| Trumpet vine |
A. Clematis will grow in Las Vegas as well as Pahrump.
However, it is one of those plants that struggles in our desert soils and our
desert climate. It will handle our desert climate as long as it has a good
growing environment and not planted in a real hot location. It will perform
best facing east or north. If on the South or West side, do not plant it close
to anything that reflects heat during the summer. It will require a little bit
more gardening knowledge on your part to grow this plant.
However, it is one of those plants that struggles in our desert soils and our
desert climate. It will handle our desert climate as long as it has a good
growing environment and not planted in a real hot location. It will perform
best facing east or north. If on the South or West side, do not plant it close
to anything that reflects heat during the summer. It will require a little bit
more gardening knowledge on your part to grow this plant.
Amend the soil thoroughly where you are planting it. Dig
the hole wide but only deep enough to accommodate the roots of the plant. Use a
good quality compost or soil mix in the backfill surrounding the roots. Cover
the soil surrounding the vine with 3 to 4 inches of wood chip mulch. Stake the
plant the first season of growth. Fertilize only in the early spring with the
general fertilizer. Prune the vine to accommodate whatever growth you’re trying
to achieve.
the hole wide but only deep enough to accommodate the roots of the plant. Use a
good quality compost or soil mix in the backfill surrounding the roots. Cover
the soil surrounding the vine with 3 to 4 inches of wood chip mulch. Stake the
plant the first season of growth. Fertilize only in the early spring with the
general fertilizer. Prune the vine to accommodate whatever growth you’re trying
to achieve.
Water it deeply and infrequently as you would any tree or
shrub which does not originate from a desert. The key to growing this plant is
planting it in the right location, amending the soil properly at the time of
planting and the use of wood chip mulch on top of the soil.
shrub which does not originate from a desert. The key to growing this plant is
planting it in the right location, amending the soil properly at the time of
planting and the use of wood chip mulch on top of the soil.
 |
| Star Jasmine trellis at a front entry |
Other vines to consider include American Ivy which is
also called Virginia creeper, Australian Pea-Vine, Banksia Rose, Carolina
Jasmine, Cat’s Claw, Coral Vine, English Ivy, Euonymus, Grape, Honeysuckle,
Japanese Ivy, Star Jasmine and Chinese Wisteria.
also called Virginia creeper, Australian Pea-Vine, Banksia Rose, Carolina
Jasmine, Cat’s Claw, Coral Vine, English Ivy, Euonymus, Grape, Honeysuckle,
Japanese Ivy, Star Jasmine and Chinese Wisteria.