GARDEN UPDATES PLUS VINES/CLIMBERS SUGGESTIONS

IT HAS BEEN a while since we touched the subject. Bad news first, RIP, Oregano, a bush resistant to drought, spent three years with us. Apparently of old age. Mangifera indica. A short stay for this grafted tree
bought in some distant nursery. A gift, of some vascular disease, probably
with it from the beginning.

VINES AND SUCH

If you do not live in Puerto Rico, use vines in any space requiring privacy, or any other
as you see fit. This will eliminate the real possibility of coming home one day and
discover your treasure all stressed out, after being cut off by the heineous hand of your barbarian neighbor.

If you plant a tree or a palm too close to any wall or property shared by others it is your FAULT. No one should plant anything at random without any knowlegde/notion of how wide any tree, bush palm may grow in five, ten, fifteen years. Consider also the amount of organic waste that will fall from the branches, trunk and so forth. Seeds, leaves, fruit, palm fronds.

They are a pain in the ass in pavement, side walks, not only making ugly the surroundings, but
also hazardous when wet, even in dry situations some are slippery. If you do not know anything,
about anything in this regard you can blame the landscape fellow, company that planted it.
I believe one should claim in court any loses due to someone's ignorance. However, your position will not stand in court if the problem was caused by your ignorance. Is no excuse.

That is why vines and climbers present less risks and problems of maintenance, even if your neighbor sabotage your beautifying efforts. The vine will come back over and over, unless is poisoned, another possibility.

IPOMEA QUAMOCLIT
CLITORIA TERNATEA

This two vines, have nice flowers. The first a bright red star shaped flower; the Clitoria with a blue indigo pea like flower make a great combination, since flowers do not clash, nor the size of the leaves itself, a great match. If you design or buy spiral tutors they grow within that shape creating a nice, attractive form in your garden.

PASSIFLORA OERSTEDII
PASSIFLORA EDULIS

If you enjoy making your own juice, the second is a great option to enhance your garden. You get privacy, a beautiful, rare flower with some Christian myth about the shape
that I am not going to discuss here, but you can find anywhere. It explains the other
name for this vine: Passion Fruit. The intense yellow tangy juice seems to help to keep your blood pleasure down. Research if that is your bag. I am happy knowing everything else.

The first as I wrote a while ago is extremely rare. I have the only plant I have ever seen. The first Oerstedii I ever saw in one of my strolls, from which I got the seeds, is totally dead. It grows fast. I was surprised to see it coming along so nicely. One of the rarities of this vine, is that the leaves are fragile with the color and texture of a tomato plant. Instead of fruits, it develops pods that in color and texture may remind one of Poppys. Another amazing characteristic of the flower is the form. It is exactly in details to the Passion fruit but one third of its size.

CAVALINNA MARITIMA

This rare climber, was found by the sea, in the sand, fully exposed to sun and intense salty breeze. Planted from seeds in pods, like any bean, but bigger and thicker. It looks better by itself since the leaves are thick, as they should growing in such habitats. The flowers are pink.

IPOMOEA ALBA

I HAVE not found an Ipomea that I do not like, except Bejuco de puerco. Do not plant it except for erosion control. This vine has the annoying tendency to grow like
grass and will ruin your garden unless you get rid of it.

Finally, if you like the hearted shape of the Ipomoeas, try to plant species of the same size. I made the mistake of planting a bunch of seeds I had collected for over a year. I confess not to like the effect of small leaves/big leaves together, It does not matter to me, if the flowers are or not beautiful, the visual effect is not attractive.

These vines appear in the pictures to the right (Jessica and Gisela). Since not many people will get to see them, this aesthetic handicap does not matter much. One final note. Having vines in pots, it is not too smart. I know. Since they have so many leaves exposed to sun/wind, with this frying pan heat they look stressed out every afternoon, either you water them or pay the price.