Where to Grow Vines and Creepers
Regardless of the size of the space, vines can always be brought into a home. Here are spaces you never considered
Krita Raut
11 May 2017
Houzz India Contributor. A journalist who discovered her passion for architecture and home décor some three years back, now I am all set to explore this subject further through my writing. Another new found passion of mine – coloring books for adults.
Houzz India Contributor. A journalist who discovered her passion for architecture... More
The beauty of vines and creepers is that they can flow in the direction you want and almost become one with the architectural element they are weaved into. With these, it is not just about bringing a touch of nature to your abode, this plant becomes the decor element as well. The versatile nature of vines and creepers makes them so adaptable to different homes and spaces. Read on to see how you can embellish your home with these jewels.
Expert inputs from Suman Mathur, All India Kitchen Garden Association
Expert inputs from Suman Mathur, All India Kitchen Garden Association
On the entryway
Give those pale pillars on your porch some colour by letting a flowering variety of vine grow on them. According to Suman Mathur of the All India Kitchen Garden Association, Chinese honeysuckle, jasmine and bougainvillea are best suited for Indian weather.
Give those pale pillars on your porch some colour by letting a flowering variety of vine grow on them. According to Suman Mathur of the All India Kitchen Garden Association, Chinese honeysuckle, jasmine and bougainvillea are best suited for Indian weather.
Here, Madagascar jasmine has been used in a more structural manner by circling the stems around the stone pillar. While these plants may have a tendency of growing all over any structure, Mathur points out, “You need to train them – give them something to climb on. Even a length of strong thread or wire will do.”
This porch turns magical as the non-flowering vine with thin stems but abundant leaves take over the pillars and the inner ceiling.
At the door
The doorway, not doubt, is one of the best spots for vines. The outline of flowers and leaves can make the door look picture perfect. Don’t limit this to just your front door. Let your garden meet your house by bringing some greenery to the doorstep. A thick bush of jasmine climbing over the this kitchen door is a highlight of the outdoor space.
The doorway, not doubt, is one of the best spots for vines. The outline of flowers and leaves can make the door look picture perfect. Don’t limit this to just your front door. Let your garden meet your house by bringing some greenery to the doorstep. A thick bush of jasmine climbing over the this kitchen door is a highlight of the outdoor space.
A gorgeous entrance way is created by letting vines cover the wall above the blue and white door. More of the wall is visible in the vertical space to ensure the focus is on the drama the full bloom brings at the top.
Decorate the walls
Instead of letting your vines grow wild all over the facade or the wall, you can build interesting patterns like the one on this white wall. “Just hammer in a nail where you want your vine or creeper to reach and tie one end of the thread to the nail. Lightly fasten the other end to the tip of your vine or creeper. As they grow, they’ll follow the thread,” explains Mathur.
How to Grow a Green Thumb
Instead of letting your vines grow wild all over the facade or the wall, you can build interesting patterns like the one on this white wall. “Just hammer in a nail where you want your vine or creeper to reach and tie one end of the thread to the nail. Lightly fasten the other end to the tip of your vine or creeper. As they grow, they’ll follow the thread,” explains Mathur.
How to Grow a Green Thumb
You can also create patches of green by installing trellis at different places in your garden. You can either use metal or wood. Mathur suggests you weatherproof with the right coating for longer life.
Bring them in your apartment
Finding walls for the vines to climb might be an issue if you live in an apartment. But worry not! You still can include them in your home – give them a horizontal pathway to grow. The rows of thin metal beams installed above the sliding glass doors provide enough space for the creepers to grow length and breadth wise even in a small vertical space. When fully grown the plant will also provide shade for the outside sitting areas.
5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes
Finding walls for the vines to climb might be an issue if you live in an apartment. But worry not! You still can include them in your home – give them a horizontal pathway to grow. The rows of thin metal beams installed above the sliding glass doors provide enough space for the creepers to grow length and breadth wise even in a small vertical space. When fully grown the plant will also provide shade for the outside sitting areas.
5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes
While many choose to let the vines grow all over the railings, this house has taken a different route. Instead of the railing, the plant just runs through the base of the balcony structure. A very clean and sophisticated way of making them a part of the facade.
Creating a green view
Keep the greenery at a distance yet close enough by separating it through glass windows. This bathroom will soon have a great view as vines will soon cover the louvres.
Keep the greenery at a distance yet close enough by separating it through glass windows. This bathroom will soon have a great view as vines will soon cover the louvres.
Bring it to the terrace
See how the creepers enrich this rooftop? In addition to adding depth to the terrace, the plants help in setting the mood right for this space to be used as a relaxing zone. A natural wall art and a joyful ‘breathing’ space in the concrete jungle!
10 Great Design Ideas for Tiny Terraces
See how the creepers enrich this rooftop? In addition to adding depth to the terrace, the plants help in setting the mood right for this space to be used as a relaxing zone. A natural wall art and a joyful ‘breathing’ space in the concrete jungle!
10 Great Design Ideas for Tiny Terraces
Don’t forget the maintenance Mathur suggests, “Prune the vines and creepers regularly to avoid unnecessary growth. Also, keep a watch that the vines haven’t grown beyond the support you have provided. If that is the case you can either add more height to support or keep pruning it to keep it to the height you want to maintain. Removing dead leaves and branches in a regular interval is also a must.”
Read more:
How to Live With Plants
8 Gardens for Compact Spaces
Tell us:
How have you included vines and creepers in your home? Share your photos in the comment section
Read more:
How to Live With Plants
8 Gardens for Compact Spaces
Tell us:
How have you included vines and creepers in your home? Share your photos in the comment section
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Gorgeous selection of images
none from india!