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Posted By: Vibeke want to cover an unsightly pole - July 5th, 2006 at 07:26 AM
Hello everyone, I am new here. This is my first post.
I have a very unattractive, 10' stainless steel pole which used to hold a satelite dish in my back yard. I would love to hide it under a climbing vine of some sort.
We are in between zone 5-6, the pole gets late morning and afternoon sun, with average to rocky soil.
We are in the woods and have hungry deer grazing about.
Would settle for English Ivy, but would prefer something flowering to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Ever green would be lovely.
I thank you in advance for any advice you can give.
Posted By: Triss Re: want to cover an unsightly pole - July 5th, 2006 at 02:54 PM
This may help some.

Flowering Vines
Posted By: Vibeke Re: want to cover an unsightly pole - July 5th, 2006 at 10:13 PM
Dear Triss,
Thank you for your response. I did read that post before posting myself, however, I am unfamiliar with vines and was not sure which of those listed would give the best coverage.
Is it simply a matter of training the vine?
Thanks again-V
Posted By: tamara Re: want to cover an unsightly pole - July 5th, 2006 at 11:34 PM
I'd try a few varieties of clematis, they have different blooming times, a good nursery can help you out choosing them.
Posted By: Vibeke Re: want to cover an unsightly pole - July 5th, 2006 at 11:44 PM
Thank you. I will!
Posted By: Triss Re: want to cover an unsightly pole - July 6th, 2006 at 06:08 AM
V- I dunno about coverage either since I do not grow many vines myself. My gardening it trial and error. I agree with Tamara that your local nursery will be able to give you good ideas on what will grow well in your area and give you the coverage you desire.
Posted By: KKMedic Re: want to cover an unsightly pole - July 6th, 2006 at 03:39 PM
We have 4 (yes, 4) unsightly sets of guide wires in our small yard for the utility poles also plaguing our yard. I planted Diplodenias to grow up them... they are evergreen, flower pretty dark fuschia trumpet flowers that slowly fade to white/light pink. I am also attempting to train a confederate jasmine to share one of the guidewires.
Good luck!
Posted By: debnoel Re: want to cover an unsightly pole - July 6th, 2006 at 04:02 PM
I don't live for from you and my clemitis covers one end of my side porch completely. My neighbor has trumpet vine and it does wonderfully. It also attracts lots of hummingbirds.She also has honeysuckle. All of these have come back year after year. None are evergreen, and the trumpet vine and honeysuckle seem to bloom for quite a while. My clematis blooms in the fall.
Posted By: Deborah L. Re: want to cover an unsightly pole - July 6th, 2006 at 04:12 PM
What about a wisteria?
But......here's a thought, wouldn't the steel get hot and harm a plant?
Posted By: RugbyHukr Re: want to cover an unsightly pole - July 7th, 2006 at 01:04 PM
Diplodenias are not hardy in the Poconos region.

for evergreen & color, try growing ivy & a flowering vine like honeysuckle or morning glory.

you will need to prune the top so that your dish is not overgrown.
Posted By: Vibeke Re: want to cover an unsightly pole - July 7th, 2006 at 08:58 PM
Thank you everyone for your responses, I appreciate the help.
Posted By: hisgal2 Re: want to cover an unsightly pole - July 8th, 2006 at 02:54 AM
You may want to think about wrapping some sort of thin wire around the pole before you plant your vines. A steel pole doesn't really have a place for the vines to grab onto and the wire would help them out. A local store uses morning glories to cover some poles that they have. They are fast growing and very pretty...I like those alot.
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