[Chiswickian]

I am going to take out my Rose Mme. Alfred Carriere this winter. it's just too big for the space - I made a classic mistake of choosing a plant I love and trying to beat it into submission. I have learnt my lesson.
I fancy another rose but is that wise? The current rose suffers dreadfully from blackspot and mildew. I suspect the soil is too thin - the beds are slightly raised but I suspect builder's rubble is under the first foot! What other plants would anyone suggest - I already have akebia there.
TIA
Ian

[arugula]

Clematis and or honeysuckle.

[Goosegirl]

Climbing hydrangea (hydrangea petiolaris?) will grow there, also Clematis "Nelly Moser" and also a blackberry. Don't replace with another rose as it will get rose soil sickness and not thrive.

[mumofstig]

Winter flowering jasmine

[DavidT]

Winter flowering jasmine

I`m inclined to agree with Lesley, though Jasmine isn`t a climber, it would do the job quite well.

[mumofstig]

Winter flowering jasmine

I`m inclined to agree with Lesley, though Jasmine isn`t a climber, it would do the job quite well.

Careful David you are agreeing with me again people will talk      

[richyrich7]

I would go with the climbing Hydrangea too,
Nice white flowers to lighten up a north wall.
Probably not a clematis most seem to like cool roots but warm tops so may not be the best for a north fence + some get pretty invasive like "montana" which seems to thrive anywhere

[Chiswickian]

thanks all!! I'm looking for something spectacular but the fence is a little shaky. I don't want a beast of a plant.
Ian

[Loubs]

You could always put a very vigorous plant in a big container pot - it would go some way towards holding it back a little.

I have a passionflower in a large pot which has covered the back wall, and it's managed to find it's way into the gardens of my neighbours gardens on both sides. Flowers & fruits all summer long. It does try & root itself in other pots, so you have to keep on top of it, but I only cut it back once a year to keep it under control.

A neighbour about 5 houses along from me has a Montana which seems to range across a dozen or more gardens. It's very very pretty - relatively short flowering period - but it's  completely covered in scented flowers in Spring.

[Loubs]

Forgot to say - passionflower shares the same pot as a climbing rose - variety I've got is Rambling Rector which also does very well - it's been in about 5 years, and it's 12ft tall and goes across width of back wall.

So if you really want a rose and you think your soil is the problem, it will grow in a container.

[DavidT]

thanks all!! I'm looking for something spectacular but the fence is a little shaky. I don't want a beast of a plant.
Ian

That`s all the more reason to go with Jasmine, as it`s a wall shrub it grows AGAINST the fence And not ON it.

[arugula]

My choices of Clematis (obviously not Montana, but there are so many more to choose from...) and or Honeysuckle would be no good then as they require a sturdy structure to grow up. I would add though, that my reason for suggesting those is that I grow these together here in a north easterly facing position with great success whilst my climbing Hydrangeas (same aspect) are poor .

[milan]

we have a honeysuckle on a north facing fence..... its not done well at all, but i think thats because it didnt get enough water and is in total shade 100% of the time until it grows big enough to get some sun.....

[DavidT]

we have a honeysuckle on a north facing fence..... its not done well at all, but i think thats because it didnt get enough water and is in total shade 100% of the time until it grows big enough to get some sun.....

Honeysuckle is a woodland plant, so the shade shouldn`t be a problem.

[milan]

well yeah we actually got it because it said it was ok with partial shade but we wondered if full shade whilst still growing was causing the problem - it definitely didnt get enough water though as it is under a tree beside a fence and the watering can forgot to visit.....