Wistera or climbing Rose

I have a beautiful new deck that i want to grow something on. Through out the yard I have several climbing roses and several clematis amd a bit of honeysukle in the hedge so I was thinking of Wisteria. The posts of the deck are 6x6 so its heavy and sturdy. I do love roses but (have 44 altogether) but think Wisteria is soooo pretty. So.... Roses or Wisteria? Im taking a survey. Any opinions or comments are welcome. Linda

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Permalink Reply by kctomato on February 27, 2009 at 11:18pm

I like wisteria, but it is only in real glory for a short time. After that a mature one can be lots of pruning work with a ladder - 2x a year. If the area under the wisteria is a sitting area it can get kind of messy at times underneath it.

$0.02 worth

You might also consider a male 'Arctic beauty' Kiwi.
It has an unusual variegation pattern and color. It wont fruit unless you plant a female. The female wont be variegated.

Or another colorful option could be a Vitis vinifera 'Purpurea' - purple foliage grape.

This isnt the greatest picture and the intensity of the color varies on time of year and light exposure.

I have seen both of these offered by nurseries here in KC in the spring. The grape's care would be similar to the wisteria. The kiwi may only need pruning 1x a year.

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Permalink Reply by Linda G. on February 27, 2009 at 11:36pm

Thanks for the ideas, does the grape make grapes?
I love the Wisteria too and then i think of pruning all of it and think.... I do have tons of pruning to do already and I mean TONS of it, maybe i better think hard