In the world of perennials, herbaceous shrubs, and trees, there is another fast growing category of plants known as vines and trailing plants. The species of plants typically grow and climb by extending tendrils, which can cover fences, arbors, and trellises, and in most cases in a very short period of time! Used to soften hardscapes such as fences and walls plus other hard to disguise features in your landscape, this group of plants offer the home gardener and landscaper some very unique opportunities. Varieties within this wonderful family of plants have something to offer for almost any garden area as well as special and unique situations. Many have spectacular flowers as well as intoxicating fragrance at given times of the season, while others offer dramatic autumn colors in foliage and berries. There are varieties that work in hot sunny locations as well as difficult shady areas. All will grow well in most garden beds and many will do well simply in containers climbing up a decorative obelisk. Combine the aspect that these plants can also fit into areas no others can and you have got an invaluable species just waiting to fill you wants, needs and wishes. Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities just waiting to be discovered!

Doug’s Twining vining hardy plant picks:

      Honeysuckle:       This group of vining plants is one of my favorites due to its exotic dramatic blossom display. Combine that with intoxicating fragrance from most of the species and you have an instant winner. In addition, they are sure to attract droves of fascinating fast flying hummingbirds. This family of plants has been a part of rural America for years, rambling around old homesteads, rock fences and walls.

      Clematis:  This massive family of plants can sometimes be a little tricky to establish, but once you have seen the dramatic display of an established vine you will never be able to sleep until you have one in your very own backyard. Most of the small flowering varieties are followed in bloom by unusual seed pods. Many of the large flowering types (some over six inches across) will have you thinking you are in the tropics, not the high desert location we call home.

      Silverlace:             This fantastic vine not only grows very fast, but will prevail in sunny dry locations as well as difficult shady places. Dramatic wedding type sprays of white flowers season long will be followed by vibrant orange and red fall foliage.

      Virginia creeper: This is a great vine for sun or shade and certainly wins the blue ribbon for the most explosive red color in the fall. Many opt to plant this at the base of a dead juniper tree and watch the skeleton come back to life….. In a hurry. If you are lucky you might even find a garden center that has a variegated leaf variety for additional charm.

       Hops:       This vine has got to be the fastest growing selection that garden centers will offer. If not the first year the second year will cover your trellis in record time beating all other vine species, “hands down”. Hops are also a favorite of home brew folks as well as local neighborhood bread bakers.

       Wisteria:  This plant is certainly very sought after due to its spectacular display of hanging grape like blooms, but I must say it is a tough one to establish much less get to bloom. There are many varieties of this plant family, but you must make sure you get the ones that are hardy for our cold climate! Trusted garden center employees will ensure you of proper selection.

        Passion Vines:    This is another vine that will surely tackle your sense of patience in regards to establishment in your garden. Some gardeners have been unable to over-winter this unbelievable vine. If however you have ever seen one of these plants in bloom you will probably never give up trying to get it to grow! The intricate bloom design will leave you with a sense of “I can’t believe it is real”!

        Akebia: A fast growing deciduous vine with very fragrant blooms and very curious looking fruit. The foliage possesses a unique velvety look quite different from other plants. If un-trellised this vine would also make a fast growing groundcover.

        Climbing Hydrangea:  This could be one of the most spectacular vines a gardener could grow. With large (6”-8”) white creamy blooms this perennial vine is a sure show stopper. Slow to establish but well worth the effort, this vine will establish a little wow factor in your garden when observed by your special backyard guests!

Annual Vine Species (These are selections that usually have to be replanted every season. They only come back in memory!!!

            Sweet Peas: A favorite of mine that is perfect for our many times cool climate. Fast to grow from seed or garden center starts, there are many varieties to choose from. Most are unforgettably fragrant adding a special allure to selected planting areas. This vine is a must for our area. Fast, colorful, fragrant and fabulous.

            Morning Glory: Some consider this as an invasive species but for our cold climate area it is a natural. Fast growing, with attractive foliage (some are even variegated) this is truly a spectacular velvety dazzling species.

            Black-eyed Susan’s: This vine can grow faster than a rabbit sprinting through the sagebrush and will light up a trellis or pergola with bright yellow and black blossoms the entire summer season once it gets started. This is a fun and easy backyard favorite.

            Other garden center selections with GREAT climbing capabilities would be the likes of Grapes and Roses. Grape vines are currently the rage with many folks as their fruit and foliage add a special class to the backyard arbor as well as a wonderful canopy of shade as the large leafed foliage and clusters if fruit drape over the outdoor dinning pergola. Climbing roses on the other hand have been a standby in yards and gardens for years. Not necessarily a true vine but a plant with vigorous upright growth that will put the “wow” factor on any arbor or trellis with their spectacular show of colorful fragrant flowers.

            In conclusion I can only say one thing, now is the time to get planting, considering that you are now well versed on the ins and outs of vining plants as well as selected varieties that will serve your needs. As always, make sure you pay strict attention to the planting site as well as soil preparation! Oversized planting holes, deeply amended with manure free organic compost, then topped off with 6 to 12 cups of a granular blended fertilizer such as our “Cold Climate” will have you smiling as you watch your plantings explode with color, fragrance, and cool foliage! Happy planting and I hope you enjoy your newfound growing friends!

As the seasons change and the Holidays approach…….. Just a quick note to remind you that Redmond Greenhouse is again offering our “Mail Order” Evergreen Wreath deal. A 20″-24″ hand tied mixed greens wreath, sprayed with our all natural preserver “Wilt-Proof”, add pine cones, Juniper Berries, a hand tied Red Velvet bow with Gold Trim, a special gift enclosure card (with your special message) all wrapped in festive Holiday Florist cello………. All this for just $34.99. PLUS we can ship them FedEx right from our business and the job is done and your gift list is fulfilled……………….. From business gift lists to friends and family this offering from Redmond Greenhouse makes it so easy and we are quite sure you will be left with a smile and a thank you from those who receive them………… Just give us a call or stop on by…. we are now taking orders and shipping has begun…..

                As in the past we will again be offering VERY Fresh-Cut Noble Fir trees starting the first week of December. Custom snow flocking plus other Holiday offerings…….

                Happy late fall, early winter………… the Holidays are here and we are ready to help you out!

Redmond Greenhouse will be offering a free class Saturday Sept. 24th from 11:00 to 12:00. Topic of discussion will center around the “Autumn Garden and Landscape”

     As we pass the middle of June it looks like it could be clear sailing in terms of the veggie garden……. If you don’t make your move in the week or so you may run into problems with ripening as we fall to the bottom of August……….. dang…………… Seeds should sprout much quicker now and transplants should dig in with new roots within a week…. DEEP watering and an occasional “over the top” application of Earth Juice Grow should have you up and running

Redmond Greenhouse still has (as of this date) lots of seed potatoes, onions, as well as cold crops (lettuce, cabbage, kale, etc.). And for you flower growers…. ahhhhhhhhhh what a wonderful selection to choose from…… Lots of NEW varieties and colors and fragrance that will catch your attention…………. Hang on…………… Here we go…….. Happy Fathers Day…. Doug

So excited as the opening day slides our way….. Friday May 27th from 3:00PM - 7:00PMFresh Veggies, Fruits, Berries, Herbs, Meat, Cheese, and so much more…. It is Central Oregon’s ONLY  totally volunteer Farmers Market…. Redmond Greenhouse will offer over half of our parking lot to this wonderful community minded event…… Live music plus a chief paring with one of the local Oregon vendors…… Hot Dang…… Hope you  can join us for the opening event…. Doug

     Redmond Greenhouse and our full service Floral Shop are “Mothers Day” ready……. Our floral cooler is overflowing with a wonderful selection of fresh cut roses, lilies, Iris, Tulips, and fragrant colorful Stock…… If you would like us to send your Mom a delightful bouquet of flowers just drop us an email or give us a call (541-548-5418) and we would be please to help you out………. Down the street or out of state……… Redmond Greenhouse delivers………….. If you Mother is living local……… let us treat you to a Special viewing of our Special Mothers Day entries………. Hanging Baskets, Patio planters, Herb baskets, Roses, Rock Garden Flowers………….. the list goes on and on… Plus lots of fun and interesting garden decor… Perfect for that Special gift…………….. Happy Mothers Day Week…………. Doug

We have just received a shipment of mason bees and supplies…………. Now is the time to set up a house for these necessary garden insects. We have multiple houses for you to choose from… so easy and so fun. We also have the nesting straws for older houses…. Swing on by and see what we have…. Happy Spring… Doug

and here comes Springtime with all the goodies and all the excitement    

It’s ready and it’s time to plant:

Walla Walla Onions

Gourmet and Fingerling certified organic potato sets

Veggie starts of lettuce, Kale, Spinach, Mustard Greens

Veggie starts of Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts

Small fruits and Berries: Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Elderberries, Currants, Gooseberries, Grapes, Hops, Horseradish, Asparagus, Blueberries

Fruit trees grafted onto hardy rootstock: Apples, Pears, Prunes. Plums, Cherries, Apricots, Peaches, Asian Pears, Almonds, Walnuts

And for you rock garden enthusiasts……………… our perennial house is filling with locally grown tough and hardy favorites like Candy tuft, Lupine, Columbine, Rock Cress, Basket of Gold, Peonies, Catmint, Bearded & Siberian Iris, Veronica, and so many more………….. the time is perfect and ours are hardened off for immediate planting…….

and back in our greenhouse our crew has been busy building early hanging baskets and patio planters filled with “Spring Delights” like fragrant violas, smiling pansies, ornamental grasses, creeping phlox, and tough little accent plants………….. oh they look so fine………….

     We at Redmond Greenhouse hope you can swing by and share our excitement for this spectacular time of the year………… lots of NEW plants and NEW products that should bring a smile to your face Happy Spring and Happy Planting………    Doug

     Ahhhhhhhhhh you  just have to love Spring in the High Desert………. A wondeful mix of snow, rain, wind, gapple, and of course our ever reliable sunshine….As the days of March arrive on our calendar our garden center is beginning to fill up….. Walla Walla onions, garlic, shallots, pansies, violas, hardy rock garden perennials as well as some early geraniums and “Pocketbook” plants……….. Oh……….. and did I mention our spectacular selection of gourmet organic “seed” potatoes. It may be a little early but if we don’t get some of our goodies in now WE WON’T GET THEM…….. Dang…………. We also just received over 300 fruit trees from one of our local Oregon growers…….. Oh dang oh dang……….. Now is the time and our selection if fantastic…. Grafted onto semi-dwarf HARDY rootstock with varieties that should do well in our region.Oh, I may have mentioned it before but we are back in stock with our organic ”BULK” potting soil as well as a NEW compressed bale of Black Gold “Hi-Porosity” organic potting soil… We are stocked up on our fabled Cold Climate organic fertilizer, Humic Acid, and organic compost…………. here comes spring and Redmond Greenhouse is ready to go…. Thanks for visiting and Happy March… Hope to see ou soon……… Doug