Akebia Vine on a Chain Link Fence?
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ranjanir
Posted: Aug-24-2004 at 10:08am |
We have about 30 feet of unsightly chain link fencing between ours and our neighbor's property. Unfortunately budget does not permit our replacing it (and my neighbor will not pitch in to replace it for aesthetic reasons).
I noticed that there is a fast growing vine at Raintree called "Akebia" - which is supposed to be non-invasive and can grow 20 feet in a year. The helpful people at squawk mountain nursery in Issaquah also feel that this would be a good vine to plant to camouflage the fence.
Any suggestions? Do any of you have akebia in your homes? Any alternative suggestions for hiding a chain link fence?
Thanks for your input,
SunnyBunny
Posted: Aug-24-2004 at 10:45am
Hi! I am an old member, and I have just started landscaping my yard for real! I am now doing preliminary research for landscape plan and hope to be talking to Rainyside friends. Meaning that I finished cleanup and now I can hit the plant nurseries! I wanted to respond to you about Akebia. I had black berries, english ivy, bindweed AND akebia all tangled together in a yard. This plant CAN become invasive if you let it. I want to tell you it would make a great cover for a chainlink fence, it flowers and can even get a nice funny looking fruit. I would mulch it heavily and put chips down along the fence. It will take a very short time to cover. If it hits the ground as a ground cover watch out. I had an excavator come in and pull all the stuff out. I tried to pull it out by hand but it took hours and hours! We cleared the yard out in a day. It was wonderful! It stayes evergreen in the NW. Please email me if you have other questions. It is a great plant with the given caveat. I took starts and already they are taking off. In another yard where I had chain link, I mixed this plant with clematis and jasmine. You have alot ot choose from.
sparklemama
Posted: Aug-24-2004 at 10:56pm
i to would like to know more about akebia. i found this vine in spring and wanted to buy it but i did nt' have the room to bring it home..we were camping..lol. I wanted to plant it on a picket fence that gets full sun. anyone have any thoughts?
EmilyK
Posted: Aug-25-2004 at 10:02am
Akebia is usually suggested for part to full shade. It might make it in full sun (not so sure about that) but it would certainly need a lot of water. Even in the shade, my plant requires frequent watering to keep it constantly moist.
Axial
Posted: Aug-25-2004 at 2:16pm
Prior to my house renovation I had a wonderful akebia vine growing up a sturdy tellis and over the top of a porch area, planted by the previous owners. The vine was at least an inch in diameter, so it must have been several years old. This was on the east side of a hill, but it got full sun for approx. 4-5 hrs in summer.
I didn't catch it sending out any ground roots, but the vines themselves were quite "actively exploratory" ("aggressive" sounds too nasty), so you might have to be "retraining" the vines back onto the fence if it was close to any other object such a roof, tree trunk, etc.
Unfortunately it had to be cut down during the renovation
If you'd like, I could post a photo of the canopy.
Sheila
sparklemama
Posted: Aug-25-2004 at 3:48pm
oh yes that sounds like a good idea sheila, i would love to see your akebia. sounds like it would a perfect vine for my other fence that is in partial shade to sun.
Sydnie
Posted: Aug-25-2004 at 10:29pm
ranjanir- I didn't know what a akebia was nor what it looked like- so I did a google search. Cool vine! I came across this. Since it was from the Puget Sound area- I thought it might give you some info. Or maybe help you decide which you'd like.
Differing Blooms on Three Varieties
Phlox
Posted: Aug-25-2004 at 11:27pm
At Davesgarden.com, the people questioned about akebia, chocolate vine, some say it is invasive, maybe that is just the east coast people but I would check it out a little more before planting it where it could interfere with other plants.
Actually, it sounds like a plant I wouldn't mind having myself!
ranjanir
Posted: Aug-27-2004 at 1:47pm
Thanks for your inputs.
I've checked with multiple local master gardeners. Akebia is not invasive where I live(I removed a whole backyard worth of 40 year old English Ivy last year and fully understand the seriousness of this issue).
The only negative I've heard so far - is that it does need watering.
I am buying a plant next weekend and trying it out.
Ranjani
_ Ranjani
Axial
Posted: Aug-27-2004 at 11:52pm
ooops, my apologies, it looks like I spoke too soon, I haven't reached the level of 20 posts so I can't post a picture yet. If anybody would like me to e-mail them a small picture, I think you could use the "pm" tool to let me know, and I'll send one back.
Sheila
Lisa A
Posted: Aug-28-2004 at 9:34am
Sheila, I updated your profile so you can post photos in the Photo Gallery.
_ Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
Axial
Posted: Aug-28-2004 at 3:55pm
Thank you, Lisa, I appreciate it. Just posted the pix. btw, I've mentioned my ivy-clearing previously; as the pix shows, it was extremely dense -- lush looking, yes, but no wonder there was mildew on the house siding back there I've cleared approx. 1500 sq ft so far.
DebbieTT
Posted: Aug-29-2004 at 11:36am
Akebia is not invasive in my garden and I have grown it for 7 years now. It is invasive in that it will cover everything nearby if it is not trained during the growing season. But I have not seen it sucker or seed around the garden.
The problem I see growing it on a chain link is that it can reach for anything growing on either side. Your neighbors may not appreciate it if it grabs plants on their side. Something you want to consider, before planting any vine along a chain link.
Having said that, I think akebias are beautiful vines all year round. You can cut them back and they will grow 20 feet or more in one season. Mine doesn’t receive consistent watering during our drought, although it is watered approximately once a month. They make great basket making material. One year I grew mine and kept wrapping it around a wire basket. The next year I cut the basket away, lined it with moss and had a beautiful basket wrapped in Akebia vine.
As far as what to plant along the chain link for a disguise? I would recommend using shrubs to hide it. A border of small trees, evergreen shrubs and fillers of perennials and perhaps a vine or two, can completely hide a fence from your view, better than planting a vine by itself. If you have space that is what I would recommend.
ranjanir
Posted: Aug-29-2004 at 2:08pm
Thanks for your note Debbie.
I am going to try to do some "fence unification effort" first - before I plant akebia. I think your point is very valid. I dislike how close my neighbors conifer is to my gutters and the fact that they take no effort in controlling either their English ivy or Himalayan Blackberry (which spills over constantly into my yard, and I then control).
I am getting an Akebia anyway and am eager to try it out.
Thanks R
Phlox
Posted: Aug-29-2004 at 10:15pm
Hmmmmmm, I still have some chain-link that could use a little more cover, think I'd better start looking around for that vine myself. Thanks for the link with the pics Cindy and thanks for helping to enable us Debbie!!
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton