Monday, August 23, 2010

Creeping Fig Vine

My current most favorite climbing vine is Creeping Fig Vine. We have it planted on a wall in our courtyard, and it has almost completely covered the wall this summer.

Creeping Fig Vine is a perfect choice if you need to cover a blank brick or stucco wall (it will ruin wood). Its dark green heart-shaped leaves can transform a blank wall into a lush, green screen, and it can be shaped into a design, or just left to randomly cover.

This is a picture I found in Southern Living, which shows how it can be trimmed to grace a blank wall and steps at an entrance (I love the idea of wrapping the steps!). The article said that one quart-size plant is responsible for that beautiful entrance.

Fig Vine is very easy to grow and can handle a vast range of light conditions, from mostly shade to full sun. It requires no fertilizer in most any soil conditions, and has no serious pests or diseases known. The only down side is that it is a somewhat high maintenance plant, because it is capable of covering everything in sight if not kept under control.

Here are more pictures of the wall in our courtyard:

Creeping Fig at a Glance

Size: Capable of eventually covering a three- or four-story building
Light: Sun or shade; not for walls with hot southern or western exposure
Range: Lower, Coastal, and Tropical South
Warning: Use only on stucco, brick, or stone; it will ruin wood.

5 comments:

Deb said...

wow that is a cool vine...looks great

RachelD said...

This is a new one for me, Janie, and now I do believe it may be what is climbing up the big tree in our back yard. It crept up the trunk, made a neat beard one year for the "tree-face" and now is shooting skyward all around the trunk.

What lovely sculptures they've made with it, and how lush and green.

Thanks for pointing out this new beautiful.

Loui♥ said...

Hi Janie..
beautiful and interesting post.
I especially like the Southern living entry photo..
don't guess it would survive in Colorado.. have a wall which desperately needs help!
warm sandy hugs..
Loui♥

nanny said...

So pretty.....very interesting post!

Unknown said...

Love the creeping fig vine! My husband would probably not allow that here..he doesn't think vines should grow on the house. LOL

Love your header pic...those daisies are so pretty!