On Wed, 23 Nov 2005 23:52:18 +0000, Mike Lyle wrote
(in message ):

If pelargoniums survive all winter, you could try training upwards
a
trailing white pelargonium.
[...]

Scented-leaved pelargoniums will grow happily, but in my experience
will tend to be leggy when lit for only half the day. The ones grown
for flowers won't flower very well in lower light, but they'll still
grow, and there'll always be some flowers. Best to make replacements
from cuttings every three years or so -- incredibly easy: an ideal
beginner's plant.

Thanks for all the responses- very interesting and helped me make a decision.

Re pelargoniums- the ones that live in this porch area are on the one sunny
wall getting light through a different piece of glass, and even there they
put up with less light than they want and don't flower much. The place I want
to put a climber is considerably worse- gets no direct sun in winter and
going on past experience isn't a good place to put a pelargonium unless I
want it to look a bit stretched and unhappy. Which is a pity because I have
two (Clorinda and Sweet Mimosa/aka S. Miriam) that are said to make good
climbers. As a pelagonium lover that was a hard decision but I'm passing on
pelargonums as climbers for this spot due to very low light in winter.

I've decided on Jasminum Polyanthum for now and just ordered one. It could
grow up 2m and then if need be along the ceiling too if it wants to- I'll put
up some wires if that looks imminent. There are bathroom windows opening onto
this "porch" and a door into my hallway so the prospect of my home being
suffused with the scent of jasmine is too much to pass by without trying it.
If this one doesn't work I'll try Lapageria.

One of my books says that Jasminium Polyanthum grows relative to pot size and
the example given is it will grow up to six feet if grown in an 8" pot. That
sounds like one of those guidelines that applies some of the time but not
all. Maybe this will all fall into place if I put it in a 10" pot, and then
prune as needed and replace the plant from a cutting every few years when it
gets too unmanageable. Just wondering- I have successfully "downsized" huge
scented pelargoniums by pruning back the top and the roots also and putting
into a smaller pot. I wonder if this could work with Jasminium Polyanthum.



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