Q. I have a roof deck in Boston with a sizable arbor on it. I would like to find a flowering vine of some sort to cover it. The previous owner grew Virginia Creeper on the arbor, which grew well but looked too much like a weed for my tastes. I tried Clematis last year but do no think it survived. The roof deck can be quite windy and gets full sun all day. Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
-Boston, Massachusetts
A. It goes without saying that vines grown on rooftops can create some challenges. Will they capture and hold ice and snow? Can the roof support the weight? Will they harbor unwanted critters? Can they affect the home itself by sending roots or sprouts into siding, shingles, and so on. These are questions only you can answer.
That said, there are a number of plants to try.
Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’ (native form)
Lonicera ‘Blanche Sandman’ or ‘John Clayton’
Hydrangea petiolaris, or its sister plant Schizophragma hydrangeoides
Non-invasive or slow growing forms of Hedera (ivies) - check hardiness in your zone
Denny Blew, President, BlewLabel Perennials, Bridgeton, New Jersey
