The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Small Home Landscaping

Supports are needed, hooks and strong wire being commonly used. Wistaria climbs by twining or twisting its stems around a support. So great is the pressure exerted by this vine, that it has been known to disrupt power lines, push off shingles. It could, were it to envelop the chimney, entirely displace the brick.

Boston ivy, or any that grow by stem rootlets, would be best for the chimney. The difficulty is in confining the vine to the chimney. A more effective treatment would be given with a trained shrub, such as Firethorn, forsythia, tamarix and, in the milder zones, Jasminum rudiflorum or allamanda.

Several stems are selected and tied to the wires—the remainder are cut out at the base. The flowering shoots, which grow out from the tied main stems, are pruned after blooming to make way for the next crop.

The young dogwood pictured here, though in a fairly good position, should not be planted with a tall annual like salvia. The digging done to set the plants will cause injury to the roots. If color is desired here, the least injurious method would be to sow seeds of alyssum, portulaca, creeping zinnias or California poppies.

A wide ground cover along the base of the garage wall would do away with the chore of cutting the grass with hand shears. The lawn mower cannot cut so close to the wall. Pachysandra, vinca or a wide band of English ivy solves the problem.

The high steps give the door a narrow aspect. To offset this and give the entrance some charm, plant two bright-leaved evergreens on each side of the door. They would relieve the dark stain of the shingles. Holly (American or Chinese) would do it, especially the Chinese box-leaved holly. Also, try box wood where it is hardy (see Hedges), or the cheaper Globe arborvitae. Hollies give a better winter color.