The Grapevine & the Clematis

One time we had a Concord Grape & a Clematis growing up at the South West corner of the patio on trellises. Grape was on the South side trellis. Clematis was on the West side trellis. Each trellis was about three feet wide and about one foot from the corner of the patio roof. One day I noticed Grape seemed to think that it owned everything within it's grasp, and proceeded to take over the Clematis' trellis. It was so close, after all. Carefully, I unwound Grape's tendril, talking to it the whole time, explaining to Grape that this was Clematis' trellis & it had the whole underside of the patio rafters to grow in.

Everyday for three days in a row I went out there and very carefully unwound Grape's tendrils from Clematis and trellis & move it to the rafters. Every day I talked to Grape and explained to it that Clematis needed it's own trellis. I could see that Grape wasn't listening, nor did it seem to believe me when I finally said that I would have to cut the offending vine off if it didn't stop growing on Clematis' trellis! Finally, on the fourth day as I carefully unwound Grape's tendrils from Clematis, I said, "I want to speak to this Grape's Elf, or whoever acts as Guardian for this plant.... Thank you for coming. I have been very patient with this Grape, careful not to hurt it, or break it. I have explained where it can and cannot grow and why. Now, if it insists on growing on Clematis' trellis I will be forced to clip it back. So, please, Guardian Elf, if you don't want your Grape snipped, then be sure it grows somewhere else!"

The next day (to my utter astonishment) I came out to find that not only was the offending vine growing in the other direction! But 2 more vines had moved away as well!! I Thanked the Elf for a job well done. I apologized for getting mad the day before, and hoped that we could have a good working relationship in the future. The rest of the summer, Grape grew where ever it pleased, *except* within two feet of Clematis! Oh, and Clematis only grew on its own trellis, too.

© 1988, 2006 ~ Sharri Lorraine~

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