Retro Garden

By J. S. Sorenson, 1895

Very often it happens that the grower of flower would like a screen in front of some path or unsightly object, perhaps to mark the boundary between flower and vegetable garden; or it may be necessary to have a fence or hedge in the background. We have few plants which grow large enough to form such a fence or screen without support, and this makes it imperative to use climbing plants which can be trained to a height of several feet, if desired, or if height is not considered can be extended in each direction so that considerable space will be covered with foliage. In order to make neat jobs of this kind of work it is quite necessary that the gardener should have something substantial and neat in design to work with. Vines will grow over a screen of brush or clamber up a stick, but the effect is never quite satisfactory, and until the support is covered the objects used as such are always unsightly, and obtrusive to such an extent that the gardener with an eye for neatness is always annoyed by them.

No. 1 shows a very simple but pleasing panel. It has the merit of being strong, while combining angles and curves in such a manner as to produce a very satisfactory effect when set in place. The upright pieces should be of inch stuff. The cross strips should be of lath. The center can be made from barrel hoops or wire fastened with wire to the cross strips. The frame should be put together with wire nails, which should be clinched on the back. This can be done by laying the frame, when nailing it, on a piece of iron. Driving the nail through the wood, against the iron, will cause the end of it to double down against the wood, thus making a rigid joint. The strips of wood should be planed neatly. In doing work of this kind instruct the boys, or whoever is doing it, to aim at neatness, as the effect is much better where you have well-made panels, because they must remain uncovered through the early part of the season, and while they are in this condition it is desirable to have them look as attractive as possible. It is advisable to paint them well for two reasons:

They look better, and last longer; and if these panels are housed in fall, they will last for several seasons if well made. In painting them choose some neutral color which harmonizes with the vines to be trained over them. Do not paint them red or white, or any color that will be obtrusive.

No. 2 shows a frame made by fastening barrel hoops to posts set in the ground. To make them firm and secure wire them to the posts and to each other. This makes a cheap screen frame, which can be rapidly constructed, and has the merit of being so easy to make that any woman can put it up. Nos. 1 and 2 can be fastened together at the junction of each panel, when set in place, by hooks and screw-eyes. Or they can be wired together or tied.

In training vines over them, some discrimination should be made in selecting plants for the different styles of frame. For No. 1 a vine which does not branch much is most appropriate, as the long growth can be trained around and around the hoop until it is covered, and the outline of’ the frame preserved ; while with a branching vine the frame would soon be completely covered and all distinctness of outline lost. For this purpose Maderia vine and German ivy are useful. A charming effect is secured by training these two vines along the cross-pieces, and using the scarlet flowering bean for the hoop. The contrast of colors will be very fine. Be sure to confine the bean to the hoop. If it seems disposed to straggle, clip it back. In a short time you will have a solid circular mass of pretty green foliage and scarlet flowers which seems to be supported on bars of green.

Reader Suggestion: George from Australia offers the following suggestions…

For hoops, try entering hoola hoop into ebay - I found Australian hoops for 99.

You might also try using old bycicle wheels (without the tyres). You should be able to pick these up for next to nothing on ebay or even, for free on clean up days when people do throw outs.The advantage of the bycylce wheel is that you can get all sorts of sizes. If you dont like the spokes - these are fairly easy to remove as well - although I would imagine that they would provide excellent support for plant growth.

Thank you George, these are great tips!

No. 3 is so simple in construction that it requires no special description.

No. 3 is especially adapted to morning glories, sweet peas and nasturtiums. A hedge or screen of the latter flower is a most brilliant sight, and will be sure to give great pleasure. With No. 2 a most delightful effect can be secured by using white morning glories for one hoop, blue ones for the next, then white, then pink. It will require considerable care and attention to keep the colors from running into and blending with each other, but it can be done, and the result will repay all labor.