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Clematis advice - training
Mr. Vine Eye
Posts: 2,394
in Plants
Hello, I'm currently in the process of digging up a path to create a new bed.
The new bed runs in front of a North facing fence.
I wanted to plant something that could cover the fence. I was originally thinking along the lines of planting a shade tolerant hedge, like Laurel, then clearing the base through pruning so I could plant some small shade plants like snowdrops below, along the front edge of the bed.
However I think now that Laurel is too vigorous and grows too bushy for the size of the bed, and would block late afternoon summer sun on my West wall.
So instead I'd like a climber to train along the fence, so I can use the rest of the space for planting other things.
The fence panels aren't in any state to be supporting plants and the posts are concrete, so I was planning on buying some wire anchors that clamp onto the posts, then erecting horizontal wires along the fence.
Ive been researching what can cope in shade and a suitable clematis is my preferred option. Climbing hydrangea etc not suitable as they're self clinging.
Advice online suggests having the wires 45cm apart. That sounds like a big gap if I'm wanting to create a screen
My main question though is where to position the clematis on the fence. I've seen photos of them placed central to the wall/fence and the shoots fanned outwards. I've also seen photos of clematis planted at one side of their supporting wall/fence and then trained across it in one direction horizontally.
if I want the clematis to fill the space/cover the fence and create as close to a wall of foliage as possible what is the best approach?
Thanks!
The new bed runs in front of a North facing fence.
I wanted to plant something that could cover the fence. I was originally thinking along the lines of planting a shade tolerant hedge, like Laurel, then clearing the base through pruning so I could plant some small shade plants like snowdrops below, along the front edge of the bed.
However I think now that Laurel is too vigorous and grows too bushy for the size of the bed, and would block late afternoon summer sun on my West wall.
So instead I'd like a climber to train along the fence, so I can use the rest of the space for planting other things.
The fence panels aren't in any state to be supporting plants and the posts are concrete, so I was planning on buying some wire anchors that clamp onto the posts, then erecting horizontal wires along the fence.
Ive been researching what can cope in shade and a suitable clematis is my preferred option. Climbing hydrangea etc not suitable as they're self clinging.
Advice online suggests having the wires 45cm apart. That sounds like a big gap if I'm wanting to create a screen
My main question though is where to position the clematis on the fence. I've seen photos of them placed central to the wall/fence and the shoots fanned outwards. I've also seen photos of clematis planted at one side of their supporting wall/fence and then trained across it in one direction horizontally.
if I want the clematis to fill the space/cover the fence and create as close to a wall of foliage as possible what is the best approach?
Thanks!
East Yorkshire
0
Posts
im assuming that the stated height and spread for a plant is if the plant was left to grow naturally. If trained horizontally then it will be able to cover a larger surface than the width of its natural spread.
i haven't seen any evergreen examples but will have a look.