[Greenbuilding] Living Walls

[Chris Green]

Reuben Deumling wrote:
> I'm tempted to construct a basically permament trellis for supporting
> climbing roses along a south-facing wall. Is there a distance anyone would
> recommend between trellis and wall.

I don't know anything about your house, as can be expected, but I would 
suggest 8 or 10': this could give you a nicely shaded and scented patio 
area to relax in.

You might be interested in Roses of Yesterday and Today, Inc., a 
supplier of heritage and antique rose varieties, in Watsonville, 
California. This business  has been operating since the 1930's, and the 
webpages seem to contain a lot of information.
http://www.rosesofyesterday.com/rosenn.htm
I found out about this company in a 1985 copy of Home Mechanix that I 
acquired  a few weeks back. Unfortunately, they don't ship plants to Canada.

Besides roses, you could plant grape vines on your trellis/ 
arbour...some of my neighbours have done this.
Even after 30 years, it still amazes me that we can grow excellent table 
grapes here in the interior of B.C. (near Kamloops )
I have picked the last bunch of them at my place around in mid to late 
November for several years now.
Unfortunately, that won't be the case this year: a black bear wandered 
through the yard a few weeks back and helped himself to the fruit. This 
happens every few years. :-(

Cheers,

Chris Green.