Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: Elaine G on November 01, 2018, 12:27

Title: Suggestions for Climbers
Post by: Elaine G on November 01, 2018, 12:27
I have unexpectedly  :D found myself with a long stretch of north facing fence.

I would appreciate any suggestions as to what to plant to make it look more cheerful. I especially would like to know if anyone can suggest anything evergreen! We don't want any more ivy or mile a minute vine thank you - next door provide enough of that to keep us busy!

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Elaine
Title: Re: Suggestions for Climbers
Post by: mumofstig on November 01, 2018, 14:06
I've got several clematis on my north facing fence, chosen from this list, but bought cheaper elsewhere ;)
https://www.thorncroftclematis.co.uk/clematis.html?bspect=115
Perle d'Azur, Mme Julia Correvon  and Prince Charles
There are some evergreen ones, but I'm not sure they like to be North-facing as well  :unsure:
Title: Re: Suggestions for Climbers
Post by: jaydig on November 01, 2018, 15:25
A couple of rose that do well on North facing walls are Mme. Alfred Carriere, and James Galway - both beautifully scented, with even the leaves on Mme. Alfred Carriere having scent, with lovely pale cream to white flowers with just a hint of a blush.  James Galway always carries masses of graduated pink flowers and is a healthy rose, again scented.
Title: Re: Suggestions for Climbers
Post by: mrs bouquet on November 04, 2018, 15:19
A climbing Hydranga ?  Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Suggestions for Climbers
Post by: meriad on November 06, 2018, 15:58
I've got a Honeysuckle Mint Crisp at home and it's amazing... The scent is really something else

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/162469/Lonicera-japonica-Mint-Crisp-(PBR)-(v)/Details

and it's evergreen
Title: Re: Suggestions for Climbers
Post by: Elaine G on November 06, 2018, 21:06
Thank you very much everyone for your excellent suggestions.

mumofstig I am still poring the lovely clematis selection - the ones you chose are lovely.
I quite like the idea of a honeysuckle and a climbing hydrangea too.
As for the roses, well OH isn't keen on roses, but I have been working on that! It may have helped when I said Mme. Alfred Carriere was practically thornless.
We have only just started digging out the remaining roots - it was a row of conifers with assorted weeds - so the other question I should have asked was is it too late to plant them this year.

Thanks again for all your help
Elaine
Title: Re: Suggestions for Climbers
Post by: mumofstig on November 06, 2018, 23:27
You've got all of winter to plant bare-root plants, don't forget to add some compost/manure and perhaps, if you think the soil is really poor, also use some Rootgrow when planting them.
Title: Re: Suggestions for Climbers
Post by: Goosegirl on November 14, 2018, 14:17
Some evergreen shrubs will grow up as climbers if they have a support such as Euonymus which has different coloured leaves (mine's half-way up an old apple tree), and Pyracantha which has different coloured berries but is rather thorny and am not sure if total shade will suit it.
Title: Re: Suggestions for Climbers
Post by: jaydig on November 14, 2018, 14:43
Just one final suggestion for an evergreen climber - how about a star jasmine (trachelospermum jasminoides).  It's a very well behaved that will make a good sized plant without being a thug, which is covered in star shaped white flowers for a long period through the summer and it smells absolutely heavenly.
Title: Re: Suggestions for Climbers
Post by: mumofstig on November 14, 2018, 15:48
Just one final suggestion for an evergreen climber - how about a star jasmine (trachelospermum jasminoides).  It's a very well behaved that will make a good sized plant without being a thug, which is covered in star shaped white flowers for a long period through the summer and it smells absolutely heavenly.
Would that work on a North-facing fence? I thought it needed a sunny/sheltered location to do well..
Title: Re: Suggestions for Climbers
Post by: jaydig on November 14, 2018, 15:49
I have two in my garden, one facing south and one facing north, and both seem to do well.  Location could make a difference, and I'm in Worcestershire, so it probably wouldn't do as well further North.