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Suitable plants for around an arbour

Red mapleRed maple Posts: 1,138
in Plants
I was just wondering if any of you experienced gardeners could help me with advice about suitable plants to grow around a wooden arbour that will offer year round interest but which won’t become too heavy for the arbour?
The soil where the arbour is is filled with rubble so quite difficult to dig, so therefore I think my plants will have to go in deep pots. The garden is north facing, but protected on 3 sides (2 fences and the house - the 4 th side is open but reasonably protected by the other houses, as we are the corner house in a small cul de sac). The garden gets a lot of wind in the winter, but plenty of sun in the summer, from mid day to mid evening.
I love honeysuckles and clematis, but these die back in the winter months. 
Thank you for any suggestions.  :smiley:

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    In deep pots, you could try Trachelospermum Jasminoides. They stay evergreen throughout the winter months and can be carefully trained over an arbour. Ceanothus shrubs can also be carefully trained over the arbour. They stay evergreen and can deal with a fair bit of wind. Once the blue flowers finish, you can have annual climbers take over. 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    The star jasmine, Trachelospernum jasminoides or asiastica is evergreen, relatively well behaved and has lovely creamy white flowers early summer with a strong perfume. It will need to be tied into the arbour to start with, but will then twine and can be cut back when necessary. Likes a rich soil so use John Innes No.3 compost in a pot with slow release fertiliser granules added and keep well watered. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Red mapleRed maple Posts: 1,138
    Thank you both for your replies. I had been wondering if the star jasmine would work. 
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