Going Vertical MBG is Growing Up! By Casey Sharber, MBG Director of Horticulture
Our plant collection is going vertical this summer as we begin planting our newlyinstalled wire trellis system. The intent of the collection is two-fold: camouflaging concrete and displaying different vining plants so home gardeners can see and learn about vines that grow well in Oklahoma.
“Vertical’ gardening is a big horticultural trend now especially in urban areas where you cannot always grow out – but can usually grow up. Trellises also provide a gardener with the opportunity to incorporate new and different plants into the mix. We intend to take full advantage of this by growing several different types of vines, adding to our already-existing plant collection. There is a multitude of vines to select from these days, which makes choosing our vines exciting and fun. We will use perennial and annual vines, evergreen and deciduous vines, and of course flowering vines. Some may be slower growing, while some we know will be more aggressive, but all of this will be advantageous, educational, and beautiful for our garden visitors. Some of the vines will include: Argyria nervosa (Wooly Morning Glory); Vigna Caracalla (Corkscrew Vine); Clematis; Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine); Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina Jessamine); and Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine) Visitors will be able to come see the new vine collection display and can use it to help them determine which plants provide the look they want in their own spaces. Homeowners wrestling with how to hide an unsightly view throughout the year may be draw to one plant, while condo dwellers looking for a tropical, flowering vine to add temporary interest a patio may identify another.
Most often, trellises are used to shade and/or screen something, and we’re using them as screens. Specifically, we are trying make our urban garden just a little greener and soften the look of concrete by growing plants over the concrete surfaces located around the water stage, elevator shaft, and the pedestrian bridge that spans the lake.
Tiki Room Gets a Makeover! Thanks to our talented friends at Tony’s Tree Plantation, the affectionately-named Tiki Room inside the Crystal Bridge has never looked better! It features a lovely centerpiece fountain, gorgeous pavers and a selection of flowering and foliage plants that grow well in Oklahoma. What a transformation. Just think of what they could do for you. Come see for yourselves! See more at tonystreeplantation.com 10
We are excited to be going vertical and look forward to the visual interest this will provide to the garden and the value it will provide to our visitors.
