Note to self: remember!
Part of the reason I have this blog is so I can remember things that I've done in the garden, both the good and the bad. Late winter is a time of much dreaming, planning, and optimism in my garden, and it's easy to forget about some of the problems from last year. I'm writing today as a reminder to myself.
Yes, I love the cypress vines, almost as much as the bumble bees and hummingbirds do. Their lacy foliage, their bright red (or white, or sometimes pink) flowers spreading color and cheer wherever they grow. Yes, I admit they look quite good growing up the veggie garden fence...
The problem is, they like to climb for some reason. They need to get to the top of whatever is nearby, and they don't care who they climb over to get there.
Tomato cages? Ah, the tomatoes aren't doing well anyway, might as well let the cypress vines grow there.
Bean trellises? The beans are past their peak, so might as well let the cypress vines grow there.
Cantaloupe trellis? Deer ate the plants closest to the fence, so might as well let the cypress vines grow there.
Before I knew it, the vines had taken over the veggie plot, and I couldn't even easily get inside the fence!
So now I have seemingly miles of vines to pull down, and enough seed will fall when I do to grow a nice lawn of cypress vine seedlings if I wanted to.
The cypress vines didn't get in the way of the garlic chives luckily, because I really need to have hundreds more garlic chive plants growing here.
Ok, maybe I should have deadheaded, or at least removed the seeds, but they're just so attractive!
At least some of the seeds haven't fallen yet, but I do see a lot of empty pods there.
So this is my reminder, my warning to myself. Alan, don't let the cypress vines grow on the veggie garden fence again!
By the way, if you're interested in any free cypress vine seeds, let me know in the comments. I have garlic chive seeds too. Plus castor bean, hyacinth bean vine, spanish flag vine, and probably several others too.
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I have cypress vine, too. Love it, and luckily my landscape is not quite so hospitable as yours!
Alan, would love some castor bean and Spanish flag vine seeds to try. Thanks!
Would love some seeds but I doubt they'd get through customs control :). Love the photos and your writing, you always make me laugh.
Dear Alan, Do you think, possibly, that one can have too many Cypress Vines? I shall resist your offer of free seeds as, looking at your photographs of the prodigious growth of these vines I shall have nothing else in my garden but the Cypress Vine before I can say Cypress Vine!!
I have just found you in Blotanical and have enjoyed reading your amusing and interesting postings. I have signed up as a Follower and shall make your weblog a Favourite in order to keep in touch.
Christine: good point. I can send seeds to US addresses only.
Edith: welcome, and I've thought about planting Cypress vines somewhere where there is a tall chain-link fence. A huge wall of cypress blooms would be awesome!
Hi Alan, I think perhaps the Cypress Vine may have got a little out of control?! I had to look it up as I'd never heard of it, though it looks just like bindweed so it was no surprise to find it is part of the same family - a family of plant thugs! Good luck containing it in the coming year, hope you don't have too many seedlings to uproot.
Thanks for finding me on Blotanical - your sense of humour means I am going to become a regular to your blog.
Thanks! Cypress vine leaves look nothing like bindweed leaves, but they are both "quite vigorous". I like vines that can reach 10' or more in a single year. =)