I have a Hedera helix 'Goldheart' on one wall (variegated Ivy) ; not everyones choice I know , but a good place for spiders throughout the winter , and the wrens love it .
I keep it at around 8' high and about 1' deep ; easy maintenance and good colour , especially the new spring growth .
I think you could try wisteria. In my garden it's been a-buzz with insects - lots of bees - since it started to flower last spring. Good shelter for spiders and other tiny critters and plenty of birds hopping about in it. You'd need to make a structure of tensioned wires on vine-eyes to support it initially but, in time the stems will become woody and self supporting.
They can get very high and/or long depending on how you train it. Neighbours here have one that has escaped from an arch and is growing a good 20m along the hedge.
You could also try one of the honeysuckles which provide shelter and nectar for insects.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
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I have a Hedera helix 'Goldheart' on one wall (variegated Ivy) ; not everyones choice I know , but a good place for spiders throughout the winter , and the wrens love it .
I keep it at around 8' high and about 1' deep ; easy maintenance and good colour , especially the new spring growth .
Which way does it face and what's the soil like?
Clay and west facing. Clematis Montana has gone wild on the fence there.
I think you could try wisteria. In my garden it's been a-buzz with insects - lots of bees - since it started to flower last spring. Good shelter for spiders and other tiny critters and plenty of birds hopping about in it. You'd need to make a structure of tensioned wires on vine-eyes to support it initially but, in time the stems will become woody and self supporting.
They can get very high and/or long depending on how you train it. Neighbours here have one that has escaped from an arch and is growing a good 20m along the hedge.
You could also try one of the honeysuckles which provide shelter and nectar for insects.