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Re: No restraint whatsoever -Reply -Reply



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> From: SUSAN SAXTON <SS@Schwabe.com>
> Date: Wednesday, July 29, 1998 2:25 PM
> 
> Marge, what conditions do you grow this in? 
> We are similar in zone, I'm hoping that will
> make for some fair comparison.

Mine is growing up a  6x6 post - actually up a heavy plastic net attached
to a post - that supports the roof of a covered walkway; thus in total
shade, since there is a roof overhang of a foot or so over the outside of
the post and the walk is about 6' wide.  It even is trying to grow up into
the open rafters of the walk.  It does get light, but no direct sun from
the side it is growing on.    This faces almost due west, but there are
huge mature deciduous trees about 15 feet from this walk that block all
direct sun once they leaf out.  This is a corner post, so the walk and roof
overhang turn at this point, but the other "open" side faces due north and
is about another 12' from the house on that side - light but no direct sun.

I've had it for nearly 10 years, I'd guess - forget exactly when I planted
it, but the walk is almost 10 years old and I seem to remember putting it
in soon after the walkway was completed.  It is likely that mine does not
get as luxuriant as one that is grown in more direct sun or light, but it
seems happy and berries.  I have noticed, however, a tendency to revert to
all green - it's either that or it's thrown a seedling that I didn't notice
was a separate plant.  I keep meaning to get down and investigate, but I've
got so many pots and flats in front of that column that it is hard to get
to and impossible to approach from the border side during the growing
season without mashing a lot of stuff.

Soil is well amended clay - double dug 10 years ago, still fairly heavy and
there are a lot of plants, including a short yew hedge at its feet, so a
fair amount of root competition, but the area is watered regularly in
summer.

Most berries occur on the parts that receive light - haven't noticed any up
under the roof :-)
> 
> The color of the berries is what intrigued
> me when I first saw the plant in a picture --
> which by the way was in a *shade gardening*
> book.  My conditions where this grows would
> be similar to the outer edges of woodland, east
> sun, afternoon shade, hot late sun.

I should think it would thrive in those conditions if you are in z. 7 or
south.  Things get different as you go north and plants often require more
sun than they do for me.
> 
> 
> Am growing this, which need male and female,
> with success, so far (3 years old) in keeping
> them to a 10' section of fence.  Enough berries
> for ornamental use.  I do whack it regularly, but
> I'm in the yard most of the time so its not a
> huge problem.

Well, I've read that if you can keep it under control, it is a nice plant -
as is Hall's Honeysuckle....I just hesitate to *recommend* a plant to
someone when I know it has tendencies to world takeover :-)

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
current article:  Planting Under Trees - Part 5
http://www.suite101.com/frontpage/frontpage.cfm?topicID=222
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