Diamond Trellis Vines*

(Question)

Greetings!

I love the look of Vines grown on a trellis in a diamond shape. Go to:
www.google.ca/search?q=training+english+ivy+trellis&espv=2&biw=1745&bih=885&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6rqPY6MzRAhXs6IMKHbaABDsQsAQIJg&dpr=1.1&gws_rd=ssl#imgrc=g2pnOaRmGetY3M%3A or click here.

This was originally made popular in France but now it can be seen everywhere. I would love to do this against a brick wall (not house just a retaining wall) but I don’t know if in Toronto (Zone 5) anything would work. Many of the vines I see that are used for this seem to be in warmer zones.

I think English Ivy would work but I know this is invasive and can do some serious damage. I may consider as this wall is not a house or structure but I am not certain this would work at all here.

Is this something (Diamond Shape Trellis) I would be able to do in Toronto with any vine that grows here or am I out of luck?

Thanks in advance.

(Answer)

Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners.

You are right, English ivy (Hedera helix) is a vigorous, aggressive, fast-growing, woody evergreen INVASIVE perennial that is primarily grown as a climbing vine or trailing ground cover.

To create your project there are wonderful options for you to consider and we suggest some native vines that would be suitable here in Toronto.

Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla) is a vigorous ‘old fashioned’ climbing native vine with very fast growth and very dense foliage. Dutchman’s pipe easily grows in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. The large dark green heart-shaped leaves 10 to 30 cm long are almost as wide. The yellow-green flowers appear in May-June, in the form of a pipe. This plant can  cover one structure in one season.

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a very vigorous self-clinging native vine that is tough, versatile and adapts to almost any soil condition. Virginia creeper thrives well in full sun to part shade and tolerates full shade. The deciduous deep green foliage turns brilliant red in fall.

Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is another vigorous self-clinging vine with dramatic foliage which creates a dense, leafy wall with beautiful fall tints in sunny location. Although not native, Boston ivy grows easily here in full sun to part shade and tolerates full shade.

Virgin’s bower or woodbine (Clematis virginiana or C. vitalba)  is a fragrant, fall-blooming clematis. It grows easily in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. This species will thrive and bloom in considerable shade. The plants blooms on current year’s growth.

Or you could try the popular hybrid clematis:

Jackman’s clematis (Clematis ‘Jackmanii’) is a summer-blooming clematis. It grows in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.

Good luck!