DIY Network

Living Teepee Let fast-growing vines create a fun garden structure. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-156

Give height to your garden and a hideaway to your kids with this living teepee.

There are plenty of ways to B. Original with organic structures for the yard and garden—including a living teepee. Michele Beschen's design for this climbing-vine framework makes a beautiful addition to any outdoor space, whether it's purely ornamental or a becomes a secret fort for young children.

Construction is far easier than a traditional teepee: All you need are some bamboo poles, some wire or rope and a few fast-growing vines. Scroll down for Michele Beschen's easy how-to.

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Living Teepee

• Spread out a circle of landscape cloth about three feet across and secure with sod pins.

• Evenly stake 12 6' bamboo poles around the circle, angled in to meet above the middle of the circle in a teepee shape. Insert the poles about 4" to 6" in the ground (figure A).

  Note: You can always change up the teepee design, either by building it a different size or by using another pole material—even metal!

• Lash the tops of the stakes with wire or rope to hold them in place (figure B).

• Plant climbing vines around the stakes (figure C); the vines' growth will create the walls of the teepee. Michele Beschen likes to use fast-growing vines like morning glories or cardinal vines. You can start the plants from seeds or, if you want to jump-start your teepee, use already-established plants.

• Finish things off with mulch, water thoroughly and keep an eye on your vines so you can train them to go up the stakes the way you want. It'll quickly fill in, giving you a beautiful structure.