"Jason" wrote in message
om...
I've attached tapcons (screws) to the side of my house in a diamond
pattern and run thin wire between them for vines to grow on.

A friend did this and it is looking great. He used jasmine. I've read
that confederate jasimine is really nice. The only difference is that
his house is only 1 story and mine is 2 story. So, his vine only
needed to grow up about 10 feet whereas mine will need to grow up like
25 feet. (these hieghts don't include the extra lenghth from going
back and forth through the diamond pattern)

I'm looking for the best vine to use to reach this hieght. I really
want the look of the leafy vine but flowers in addition would be nice
but not required.
Just looking for the heartest easy to grow vine that could reach that
hieght.

I'm in Miami Florida and the space is a medium sun location.

Thanks for any input.


Um, how are you going to paint the house (if it's wood) or repoint the brick
(if it's brick)? Attaching a vine *directly* to any house is *NOT*
recommended as it gives a direct route for insects like ants or *termites*
and does not give room for either a pest control person or a painter to
access the house for maintenence. Also, the additional moisture held
against the house will encourage mold and mildew and accelerate the rot just
waiting around the corner in any hot and humid climate.

What is recommended is that you build a sturdy freestanding trellis(or
possibly attached at the eaves with brackets) just far enough away from the
house to allow air and contractors access. If your vine is vigorous enough,
it will appear to be directly growing on the house anyway. The individual
trellis panels should be able to be removed from the upright supports should
the unforseen happen and you need to replace siding or need more room for
the job at hand. The type of vine that is recommended for such a structure
is not something that attaches itself with suckers like ivy or trumpet vine,
but something that either twines itself like a mandevilla (which would be
lovely) or needs to be attached with plant supports like a climbing rose.
Cl. Old Blush, an antique rose that doesn't need any spraying or fussing
over would look lovely as one of the components of such a trellis.
Bouganvillia is also frequently used in frost free climates as a decorative
climber. The commonly grown "sweet potato vines" of ipomea Blackie and
Limelight would look lovely grown vertically instead of the usual horizontal
method of use.

Sunflower
MS 7b