Talk Cancer

Question:

I have a wrought iron gate across my driveway.  I would like to make it prettier by covering it with some sort of vine – preferably an evergreen or semi-evergreen (remember, it usually only freezes a few times a year in Houston) and with flowers at least some of the time. As I see it, these are the considerations: 1) zone 8/9, <20 freezing days per year (usually) 2) humid, hot summers (often little or no rain with temps 95F in July – August) 3) southern exposure – LOTS of afternoon sun, especially in summer 4) evergreen or semi-evergreen (hardy perennial?) 5) the vine will be growing from a patch of ground at the pivot point of the gate so will need to be able to take the strain, but not be so heavy as to weigh down the gate 6) pretty flowers would be nice Am I wishing for a star, or does someone out there have a suggestion for me? Thanks! — Cyndi Smith                                     Computer Programmer Department of Biomathematics           M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Phone: 713/794-4938                               Fax: 713/792-4262

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a wrought iron gate across my driveway.  I would like to make it prettier by covering it with some sort of vine – preferably an evergreen or semi-evergreen (remember, it usually only freezes a few times a year in Houston) and with flowers at least some of the time. As I see it, these are the considerations: 1) zone 8/9, <20 freezing days per year (usually) 2) humid, hot summers (often little or no rain with temps 95F in July – August) 3) southern exposure – LOTS of afternoon sun, especially in summer 4) evergreen or semi-evergreen (hardy perennial?) 5) the vine will be growing from a patch of ground at the pivot point of the gate so will need to be able to take the strain, but not be so heavy as to weigh down the gate 6) pretty flowers would be nice Am I wishing for a star, or does someone out there have a suggestion for me?

I’d try star jasmine (Confederate jasmine).  It grows beautifully in Houston, has sweet and pretty flowers, and is tough but flexible.  Let us know if it works–I’ve never seen a vine that had to swing on a gate several times a day. Morning glories might work, too, but they are annuals.  Honeysuckle is another possibility. — CASBS, 202 Junipero Serra Blvd. |Phone: (415) 321-2052 x 325 Stanford, CA  94305             |Fax: (415) 321-1192

Response: