You may remember that I gave up on my chimnea because I’d only used it twice in 10 years and it was just taking up space on my deck. The plan was to stick it in a border and cram it full of plants.
Well, here’s what I tried first. With the chimnea upright I had to fill it completely with soil so it would support the trumpet vine planted in the upper opening. But how do you keep the soil from spilling out the lower opening? With the very, very awkward use of wire mesh and landscape fabric. As if that weren’t bad enough, after punching holes into those layers and cramming these sweet potato vines in the opening, it became crystal clear that there was no way to keep them watered, and they’re not exactly succulent. So, next bright idea?
Ah, that’s better. First because it looks more natural (to me) but also because it’s plantable. So here the trumpet vine’s coming out of the larger opening on the right and nothing’s crammed into the smaller opening on the left.
Now if you’ve ever grown trumpet vine you already know it can be shall we say problemmatic if not massively invasive? Yeah, I know it’s native but I’ve never seen such angry feedback about a plant in my life - see for yourself. So I’ll be keeping an eye on it.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Susan, after seeing how you planted your chimnea last year I wished I hadn’t left my beautiful cast iron chimnea for the new owners of my old house, and now I wish it even more! Yours makes a very nice planter.
I hope it keeps that trumpet vine under control. One of my clients has three of them about 30 years old planted along her fence, and it comes up from the runners against the foundation of her house (cracked in multiple places from the thick runners,) has cracked her driveway, and comes up along the cracks, and it comes up between the paving stones on her patio and courtyard and throughout her garden. If she had a lawn it would come up there too. It also comes up in the front and back yards of her neighbors at least three houses away on both sides and in the yard behind hers too. They’re beautifully tempting, but I’ll just say no to trumpet vine and hang fuchsias for the hummingbirds.
I do not get why so many people do not like trumpet vine.. I love how invasive it is . But then I have a haphazard and wild garden that I love that way.. Of the houses on either side of me have sculptured gardens with dyed mulch.haha
Love the way you used your chiminea.. I love that type of creativity in a garden.
However you should try a fire pits
for bringing warmth to your backyard. The are so many cool styles ..wood or gas..worth another try
This is a perfect form of art that is being itself. Your chiminea looks like it belongs there. Great job of letting the beauty of it shine through traditional vision. I love it!
I agree that the chimnea looks much better laying on its side. Much more natural. Like it fell there a long time ago and the vine just started growing out of it. Nice.
I have trumpet creeper and love the way it looks but NOT how it sends out the runners — it is a beast — esp, in full sun. It should definitely be given out with a warning.
On the chimenea, good recycling use. I never had the urge to buy one and am glad I didn’t. I see many sitting unused in backyards all over DC.
Those dish-style fire pits I see at Target and Home Depot will soon join them in the junk piles. Hope folks starting using them as big salad green planters instead!