Buddies

Day 76: Pandemic notwithstanding, my buddies are starting to show up at my place to celebrate the turning of the year and lengthening daylight. The clmbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala) is one of the earliest of my ornamentals to show new growth. As far as flowering is concerned, its small clusters of loosely-held white blooms are, unspectacular but I do not grow it for blossoms. Rather, it displays a wealth of verdure where it mounts the garage wall opposite my kitchen window (a much prettier sight than blank siding) and in autumn, it turns vivid orange, holding its foliage long and late for an even lovelier visual treat. Flanking it are the House of Chirp and Pussywillow Cottage, residences occupied annually by the swallows who enjoy the coolness the leaves provide. Admittedly, its holdfasts grip the wood rather tightly once established, but I keep it pruned back, loosely espaliered into a fan terminating at the height of the trellis (a support it did not require). Even now, in the chill and frost of winter, its early and anxious buds are a promise of warmer, brighter days.

White Akebia

Day 203: Last year, I visited my favourite nursery hoping to find a shade-tolerant vine to crawl up the side of my garage. After a long discussion with the horticulturist, I settled on Five-Leaf Akebia, aka "Chocolate Vine," so called for the scent of the species' flowers. Akebia also produces a 5-inch long edible fruit, but is not self-fertile; therefore I needed two varieties. I bought a white and a purple. What the horticulturist neglected to mention is that Akebia is very prone to powdery mildew, and unbeknownst to me, one of the plants was already infected. By the time I realized the blackening of the leaves was something more serious than transplant shock, the problem was well-established. Some quick research on line told me what I needed to treat it, and I began applying a copper-based fungicide almost immediately.

From looking at the foliage, you might assume that this vine is deciduous. It is not, at least not in our climate. Both plants held most of their leaves through the winter, and about two weeks ago, I noticed tiny little clusters of buds on both vines...hundreds of them! Yes, the copper treatment worked and the Akebias are not only healthy, they show evidence of being very happy in their new situation. Today, the white one has a few open flowers; the purple one is in a more shady location, and therefore is coming into flower a little more slowly. Akebia can go rogue and become invasive if not monitored, but it is easy to control with pruning. I do hope I get some fruit, but even if I don't, the flowers are enchanting.

Wisteria

Day 190: Unseasonally warm weather (read, "temperatures in the upper 80s") has brought several plants in my yard into early bloom, notably the red dogwood and wisteria. The latter was barely showing buds a week ago; today, a purple cascade tumbles down the east corner of my carport. In past years, this untidy, rampant vine has been a sporadic producer, generally showing less than a dozen clusters before its leaves emerge and dominate the display. I've pruned, and I've not pruned, learning in the process that the plant has a mind of its own. No measure on my part seems to make a difference to its behaviour, so other than taming it to prevent its invading the rafters, I'll allow it to have its run.