Vine/Climber Layer — FarmPal
Climbing plants that use trees and structures for support, maximizing vertical growing space.
Height
Variable (uses vertical space)
Functions
- •Maximizes vertical growing space
- •Additional fruit production without land footprint
- •Creates shaded seating areas and arbors
- •Wildlife corridors in vertical dimension
- •Annual nitrogen fixers (beans) on dead standing wood
Design Tips
- •Never vine on living trees without careful consideration of host tree
- •Install strong permanent structures for perennial vines
- •Consider weight of mature fruit-laden vines
- •Grape vines can shade understory plan accordingly
- •Hardy kiwi needs male and female plants
Example Plants
Grape (Vitis spp.)
Fresh fruit, Wine, Raisins, Leaves (dolmas)
Spacing: 6-10 feet | Zones: 4-10
Kiwi (Hardy) (Actinidia arguta)
Smooth-skinned kiwi fruit, Ornamental
Spacing: 10-15 feet | Zones: 4-8
Passionflower (Passiflora spp.)
Fruit, Medicinal, Ornamental, Butterfly host
Spacing: 10 feet | Zones: 6-10
Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Beer brewing, Sleep aid, Young shoots edible
Spacing: 3-5 feet | Zones: 4-8
Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus)
Beans, Flowers, Nitrogen fixation, Hummingbird attractor
Spacing: 6 inches | Zones: 3-11