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Climber for south facing wall, but in a container

stuart.dotstuart.dot Posts: 127
This location is a real sun trap, and nothing seems to like it very much. Honeysuckle looks good in the Spring, then the leaves turn brown in Summer. Clematis have all failed but maybe there's a variety that would work. Alas, I can't dig down into the soil and the pot gets baked in summer.
Any advice appreciated
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Posts

  • DurrendalDurrendal Posts: 62
    Rangoon Creeper?

    I'm from tropics so I know only tropical climbers.
  • Mmm. Honeysuckle is usually pretty tough. It seems the root ball is drying out because of the position. Try sinking one container inside a larger one and insulating the space between. Use aluminium foil like the rolls you put behind radiators to reflect the heat back out. Think any climber would suffer. I have jasmine in a container and an evergreen honeysuckle and a variegated ivy in South facing containers all okay.
  • Stevo4Stevo4 Posts: 109
    Stuart, I have a wisteria in a pot on a south facing wall that bakes like an oven in summer. It was an experiment to see if it was possible, knowing that I could move it if I had to. The pot is the largest I could find that would fit in that spot. I made a mix of J Innes #3 with high peat content compost and water retaining gel crystals. It takes a lot of watering and feeding but, it is now 4yrs and a beautiful specimen and the scent is remarkable.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Campsis radicans will be perfect
    https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pl_id=885 

    It'll need a large container, but will love the south facing location and really won't mind the heat at all  whereas honeysuckle hates having warm roots.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • stuart.dotstuart.dot Posts: 127
    As the honeysuckle is still looking fairly green, I might try the pot within a pot idea. I could pack out the space with some insulating material perhaps. 
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    I have grown a passiflora and a montana clematis in those conditions. It only works for about 3/4 years then they outgrow the pot.

    Personally I wouldnt go with the honeysuckle idea as they are woodland plants and prefer some shade and moist cooler soil. But its your choice of course  :)
  • stuart.dotstuart.dot Posts: 127
    This honeysuckle has been everywhere in the garden over the last 30 years, so this is its last chance I think                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
  • stuart.dotstuart.dot Posts: 127
    Going back to the pot within a pot idea, I wonder if filling the gap with sharp sand might keep the roots cool. Sand seems to hold water almost indefinitely and is always cool to the touch
  • I agree with @Bijdezee, passiflora would do well. Wisteria can be grown in container to restrict their growth, although they should still be pruned. 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096


    Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' - full sun, flowers all summer long?
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