Re: climbers for a southeast facing pergola

How about a passiflora (Passion Flower)?  It grows fast, casts shade,
climbs by itself (you may need to guide it a bit in the beginning; after
that just hack off where it doesn't fit), and is very pretty.

Some varieties will not make it through the winter you describe.  I have
passiflora jamsemii (sp?) which has nice red flowers and no fruit.  It died
back after 3 nights of freezing temps a year ago (lowest 24 degrees F).
But now it covers my front porch.  It only took a few months to come back.
Some varieties are more cold hardy and will have no trouble with your
temps.

The books say I am supposed to water my passion flower but I never do
(except when it was getting started).  It seems to bloom a bit more when it
rains but it did fine in our dry summer (I have no idea how hot 42C is...if
it's well above 90F you might need a bit of water).  I had no problems even
during a heat wave into the 90's for several days.

My soil is clay and alkinline.  I put some compost and mulch around the
roots once in a while but that's it.  The area is covered with bermuda and
st augustine grass (right up into the plant).

It needs some tender care as it's starting out but once the roots are
established and it's several feet long, I don't think much will kill it.

Some passion flowers have edible fruit! If I were buying one I'd definately
pick one with fruit; and it doesn't have to be the standard varieties
either, there are dozens to choose from!  This one was a freebie from
someone I did a plant exchange with.

I have a picture of it I can scan in and put on a website if you or anyone
is interested.

Cyndi

_______________________________________________________________________________
Oakland, California            Zone 9 USDA; Zone 16 Sunset Western Garden Guide
Chemically sensitive/disabled - Organic Gardening only by choice and neccessity
_______________________________________________________________________________
"There's nothing wrong with me.  Maybe there's                     Cyndi Norman
something wrong with the universe." (ST:TNG)           cyndi@consultclarity.com
                                                 http://www.consultclarity.com/
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