Creeping Fig

I love this vine!!!  It's a climber and I experimented with it here at the Gardens.  I've skinned our palm and have this vine scaling up the side of this large monster.  This vine needs frequent watering at first and less later on once it is established. DO NOT place in direct sun or the leaves will fry off the plant, but don't place in complete shade or the plant will just shrivel up and die.  When I purchase a new plant for the garden, I buy several of them and place the new experiments in different areas around the garden.  Currently I have two healthy creeping figs that act in 2 ways.  1.  It acts like a ground cover searching for a structure to climb.  2.  It's a moderately growing climbing vine that clings to everything.  The small leaves on the vine are attractive and you can purchase this plant variegated or just green:)  Here's the secret.  I have these vines along our drip system and placed in spots where they get strong morning sun but afternoon shade.    They can take over buildings like our neighbors on both sides of the El Presidio complex.  These huge and older vines are on the shadier northern sides that get great morning sun.  They have no other function than to add that vertical green magic to a garden.  This vine survived our severe winter and came out green green green.  I like this plant a lot just because it has the tiny green leaves that make brown objects pop! Two more vines to go and we'll complete our vine series.  Until next time......

Cat's Claw Vine

Buyer beware!  Our next perfect Zone 9 Hardy plant is cat's claw.  It's a vine that spreads quickly up a ramada or trellis with sun.  Arizona has plenty of sun and therefore has plenty of these vines growing all over town.  Personally, I like this plant and think it's a great vine to have in your landscape....little to no water once established.  It'll take the brutal heat and absolute cold.  It climbs on its' own and grows like a weed.  So be careful when planting this vine!  Without adding bias, I'll do a pro and con category and then you decide if this is the right plant for you.

                                                                          Pros

1. Will take the brutal heat...in fact thrives off of the sun and heat.  The more sun; the more vine.  Cold here doesn't seem to affect it.
2. Little water once established.
3. Climbs on its' own.
4. It has beautiful yellow flowers.
5. Once it has wrapped itself around the ramada, it will go for another round on its' own.
6. Fast grower!
7. Looks nice on a metal fence, trellis, or ramada.

                                                                         Cons

1.   Climbs on its' own.  Do not plant near stucco or the home....or you'll find that when you pull the vine off the home, you'll pull the stucco or paint off the house.
2. It's invasive and gets into everything.
3. It's a top heavy plant and with enough weight, it could pull things down to the ground.

So there you have it.  If placed in the right spot, cat's claw can make an attractive plant.  Drive around town and see how people have used this plant in their own yards. This plant is loved or hated.  You decide.  Our next perfect Zone 9 plant is coming up tomorrow. Until next time.....