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The best climbing plant

purplerach12purplerach12 Posts: 11
in Plants
Hi was wondering whether I can have some advise
I have a fence with a flower bed which I would like to plant a climbing plant up. Would like something relatively quick growing as I dont want to wait years to have any result. My soil is clay and the fence is a shaded for large parts of the day. I like something with nice flowers but the only problem is my husband gets hayfever so dont want anything with much pollen or fragrance. I would also like something low maintenance. 
Does anyone have any suggestions?
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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    How high and how long is the fence?

    I would say a group 3 clematis would be good and there are several that will do well in shade.   As long as the soil is improved with some well-rotted manure for fertility and structure a clematis should do well but they come in different flower forms, different colours and the capacity to be quite restrained or immensely vigorous.

    Group 3 just means they get cut down hard every spring and then re-grow and flower on that new growth.  Whatever you choose, you'll need to provide wires to support it as it can't cling to a fence on its own.

    Some examples - http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=562
    http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=526 
    http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=3136
    http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=88
    http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=365
    http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=530

    There are several online suppliers of clematis - Taylors, Thorncroft, Hawthorne's.   @Richard Hodson at Hawthorne's holds the national collection of viticella clematis at his nursery and its gardens and could advise you.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You're almost asking for the impossible!
    Anything which grows rapidly will also keep going and will require more maintenance.
    A mature clematis will still take a couple of years to reach a good size. 

    Some of the early flowering Group 1s or 2s would be fine though. They require little to no pruning. A double one might suit better

    Take a look here for some suggestions - you can put in  timing and flower colour etc

    https://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • purplerach12purplerach12 Posts: 11
    Many thanks for both of your replies.
    A little maintenance is fine I just dont want to be pruning every week.

    Is there any variety of these clematis that are not as highly fragrant?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Most clems have very little fragrance- it's subtle, not like roses. 

    Pruning of clematis is only once a year - and that's for the Group3 types that @Obelixx describes. You can do that occasionally for Group2s if they need a good haircut. For any others, like some of the Group 1s, it's only necessary when the plant gets too large or is needing rejuvenated. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • purplerach12purplerach12 Posts: 11
    Og subtle fragrence would be ok I just dont want my husband to suffer with his hayfever. My mother suggested something like Montana which I understand is easy to get and grows well along paths in small flower beds. Which group is that?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited April 2020
    Montanas get enormous. They cover buildings - garages etc.
    They're the kind of Group 1 you don't want.
    The alpinas and koreanas are neater and well behaved. You'll have to look at what will suit a shady site though
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I suggested group 3s because they have a long flowering period over several months.  Montanas go like the clappers, get unruly and only flower for a few weeks in spring and can be ravaged by late frosts.

    If you click on the links I gave you yu will see that only Betty Corning has any perfume and it is very subtle.  You really have to put your nose close up.

    Now the question remains - how big is the fence as that will dictate the best clematis.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • purplerach12purplerach12 Posts: 11
    The fence is about 7ft ish tall. Not very long it's about 2 fence panels
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Before you plant anything, take that bamboo stuff down , and attach some vine eyes and wires. That stuff will just rot.
    You could probably have a smaller Group 1 and a Group3. They'll fill that easily. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • purplerach12purplerach12 Posts: 11
    Lovely thanks
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