Sunday, April 22, 2012

Silver lace vine.





Silver lace vine is a vigorous, adaptable, fast-growing, deciduous, twining vine that typically grows 25-35 (12-15 in one year). Ovate leaves (to 3.5� long) emerge tinged with red, but mature to a bright green. Masses of small, fragrant, creamy white flowers in profuse, narrow panicles cover the vine over a long bloom period of mid-summer to fall. From a distance, this vine is similar in appearance to autumn sweet clematis (C. paniculata). Synonymous with Polygonum aubertii and Polygonum baldschuanicum.Best grown in well-drained sandy loams with regular moisture in full sun to part shade. Tolerates some drought. Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. Plants are less apt to spread invasively in poor, lean soils. Vines need a support structure upon which to grow unless grown as a sprawling ground cover. This is a somewhat weedy vine that spreads quickly by rhizomes. May be pruned back each year in late winter to early spring. To renovate, prune back in late winter to 1-3? from the ground. To keep within bounds, trim off excess growth as needed throughout the year.