posted 1 year ago
Hello all! I am putting a planting together for the side of a two story house. I want to use the vines to shade the house of the summer sun. I am in Zone 5b and am looking at using Chinese Magnolia Vine/Schisandra chinensis, or Akebia quinata/chocolate vine or raisin vine.
I am asking for anyone who may have experience or advice as to inter-plantings.
I am looking at using Yucca baccata/banana yucca or spanish bayonette or cold hardy figs (since they have to be cut back every year to survive the winters). I have thought about this and the thermal mass provided by the foundation wall of the house will give me a boost for winter survivability.
If someone has better suggestions or ideas I would certainly be open to them! I am trying to fit as many useful edible plants in as possible. This is just one of the areas of planting. Soils in this spot are "middle of the road", but that can always be improved with amendments of micro life.
I look forward to your ideas!