Let It Grow
By Tammy Thornton
Over 20 years ago, when my two older children were preschool age, we lived near a wonderful hidden gem called Leaming’s Run Garden on Route 9 in Cape May County. The children could run through the meandering paths of this magical family-run garden until they came to the old one-room log cabin (circa 1695), kitchen garden, peacocks, and pens of exotic chickens. Continuing on through the woods, we would come to the pond full of frogs and blooming lily pads, then pass by the serpentine garden and gazebo for a little rest. What an inspiring garden that was! At the end of the trail, we would come to the owner’s family home (circa 1706) with a gift shop in the parking lot. For a few dollars, you could purchase a packet of seeds and dream about growing some of these same magical plants in your own garden. Back then, my family was renting the second floor of a house without a place of our own to plant flowers. One of the joys of having our own property and a little plot of land has been being able to experience the trials and errors of creating a garden that’s ours to do with as we please.
Though Leaming’s Run Garden permanently closed in 2016, I’m still inspired by two different vines that I remember seeing growing in their garden and the seeds that came in those little packets. This year, I happen to have both of these vines growing in my garden.
First, we have the Cypress vine. This dainty but vigorous vine has feathery, fern-like foliage that gently climbs and twists over whatever support you provide for it. Easy-to-grow Cypress vine (also called cardinal vine) produces bright red tubular flowers that will entice hummingbirds. These star-shaped flowers will open by day and close at night. Plant this vine in full sun and set it at the base of a trellis or fence to climb, since this twisting vine can grow from 10-15 feet long. Cypress vine is a true annual that completes its life cycle in one season and will eventually succumb to cold weather. However, you can collect seeds, allowing you to start the process again the next season. Though the plants are not cold-tolerant, you can start them indoors a few weeks before the last frost. When you are ready to plant the seeds, soak in water overnight to aid in germination since the seed pods have hard shells.
Another interesting flowering vine that I nostalgically remember growing at Leaming’s Run Garden is the purple hyacinth bean. If you’ve ever seen this plant growing, it will have made an impression. While Cypress vine ambles gently and whimsically along, purple hyacinth grows with force. Be prepared to have a strong trellis or arbor for this robust climber. Like the Cypress vine, the purple hyacinth bean is not cold-tolerant but will grow vigorously in one season. Give it a sunny location, and you will be rewarded with sprays of exotic lavender-purple flowers that resemble sweet peas growing on purple vines. As the flowers mature, they will form leathery purple bean pods. Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds will be attracted to these fun flowers that grow with abandon. After the seed pods dry out, collect them to save for the next growing season. Then, you will be able to start them indoors a few weeks before the last spring frost.
In tropical climates, these two vines can become aggressive. However, in our Shore Local area, the annual vines will die back once it becomes cold. If you collect the seeds, you can be in control of where they grow and enjoy these delightful pollinator plants year after year.
The creative gardens of others can make an impression and inspire us for the future. An idea planted in our memories long ago can be the starting point of implementing a garden of your own that will be richer from the nostalgic value. We would love to hear about gardens and plant memories that have inspired you. Send your thoughts, questions, and garden pictures to shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
