Unusual Front Gardens #19: Grapes


I found these jaunty blue railings draped with edible grapes when we ventured to the bottom of the hill in Bishop's Castle last month. I wonder if I could manage something similar in our front garden.

Update - thanks for all your interest in this idea in the comments, though of course there's also been plenty of speculation on how long the grapes would last in most locations.

If you like the idea but not the thought of attendant scrumping, then a possible alternative if you have the space is the wonderful Vitis coignetiae, which has dramatic, large leaves and small bunches of inedible grapes. I first saw this vine scaling a tree at Westonbirt and Karen was so taken with it adorning the fence of one of the demonstration gardens at Derwen garden centre last month, she took one home with her.

Comments

  1. Sue Garrett27 October 2014 at 08:48

    I wonder how many grapes disappear?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 October 2014 at 08:53

      It's a relatively small village and they're right at the bottom of the hill where very few people go. However, I'm sure there's still some scrumping going on!

      Delete
  2. Mark and Gaz27 October 2014 at 09:51

    Have to say the blue painted railings with grapes on it looks great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 October 2014 at 14:09

      I think they look fab. However, in my garden I think the grapes would have to be white as the railings are black. Or perhaps I need to buy some blue metal paint...

      Delete
  3. Margaret27 October 2014 at 10:01

    I love that, so colourful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 October 2014 at 14:10

      It's inspired isn't it Margaret? I'm also imagining that the vine leaves must be a rich red by now and even more colourful :)

      Delete
  4. CJ27 October 2014 at 10:08

    Wonderful. We've got grapes, but the birds and wasps and flies can be a problem sometimes. At the moment flocks of starlings are taking them, but they're very welcome to them, I've taken what I want.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 October 2014 at 14:12

      I have a grape vine at the allotment CJ, but it isn't growing very well. I'm envious that you have grapes! I have some of those wonderful glass wasp traps which go in my apple trees - beautiful as well as functional.

      Delete
  5. Rose27 October 2014 at 13:45

    Those clusters of grapes look beautiful against the blue railing, which I love. I had the same thought as Sue--I wonder how many of those grapes disappear as people pass by. They are just too tempting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 October 2014 at 14:14

      Rose - since I replied to Sue I've realised that the grapes are on the way to church. I wonder if any of the congregation get tempted?

      Delete
  6. Pauline27 October 2014 at 14:15

    They look stunning together, the grapes, the foliage and the railings.Tempting for passers by!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 October 2014 at 14:34

      Very tempting - especially if you'd stopped to chat to someone in the street there.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous27 October 2014 at 14:47

    They look good but sadly they'd be gone in a flash hereabouts. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 October 2014 at 14:51

      Shropshire seemed to be a different world Flighty - much gentler, a little old fashioned and with a wonderful sense of community. It was great.

      Delete
  8. Unknown27 October 2014 at 15:20

    It looks great, and I may try something similar since my front garden will be the sunniest spot - but I, too, worry about the grapes going walkies!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP27 October 2014 at 15:22

      I look forward to seeing that. We're in a small secluded cul de sac of 5 houses, so I can risk it. However, it's not such a sunny spot, so that may prevent grapes from forming in the first place.

      Delete
    2. Unknown27 October 2014 at 16:00

      I took some pics of the new garden over the weekend, which I will blog when I get the chance. The plans for it are still at the 'nebulous' stage, though ;)

      Delete
    3. VP27 October 2014 at 16:26

      'Nebulous' but exciting :)

      Delete
  9. Gwenfar's Garden27 October 2014 at 15:30

    What a great idea - colourful & edible. Would be a great idea for an Incredible Edible group.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown27 October 2014 at 23:48

    Looks fantastic. Reminds me of my friend's house in London which had a vine growing over the front railings. It didn't have big clusters of grapes, but the local Greek ladies used to visit fairly regularly to forage for their dolmades!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP28 October 2014 at 00:01

      Ooh yes, I'd forgotten about those. So we have doubly edible idea here :-)

      Delete

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