Greek Silk Vine Care
Periploca graeca
A very fast-growing, woody, deciduous vine that is also native to Turkey. It is used to quickly cover large areas, hedges and pergolas; it has interesting purplish-brown flowers that open in summer. All parts of the plant are poisonous.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Pruning: This is the best time for hard pruning to control size and spread. If desired, it can be cut back to the main trunk; it will regrow.
- General care: Full dormancy period.
- Pruning: Finish pruning by the end of the month.
- General care: It can be propagated by root cuttings or layering.
- Watering: If necessary (if there is no rain), water newly planted saplings (10-15 L/week).
- Fertilizing: Not needed. If the soil is very poor, compost or slow-release fertilizer can be given once.
- Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering.
- General care: The buds burst and new shoots begin to lengthen quickly.
- Pests & diseases: Aphids (Aphidoidea) may be present on young shoots.
- Frost risk: Young shoots may be affected by severe late frosts.
- Watering: Not needed for young saplings.
- Pruning: Cut unwanted shoots to control and direct growth.
- General care: It grows very fast; guide the shoots to twine around their support.
- Watering: It grows better if watered deeply every 15 days during dry periods (30-40 L per plant).
- Pruning: Continue pruning for control.
- General care: Rapid growth continues.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Summer pruning is important to keep windows and passageways clear.
- General care: It produces star-shaped, purplish-brown, lightly scented flowers.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
- Pruning: Continue pruning for control.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- Pests & diseases: In hot and dry weather, check the undersides of the leaves for spider mites (Tetranychidae).
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
- General care: Growth continues.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: You can cut shoots that are growing out of control.
- General care: After flowering, bean-like seed pods form. It is a good time for propagation by semi-hardwood cuttings.
- Watering: Usually not required; autumn rains are starting.
- General care: The leaves begin to turn yellow. The seed capsules ripen.
- General care: Leaf fall is completed. Seed capsules may remain on the branches.
- Pruning: Once the tree is fully dormant, major pruning can begin toward the end of the month.
- General care: Full dormancy period.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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