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Shade tolerant pot climber.

K.e.dziubinskaK.e.dziubinska Posts: 16
in Problem solving
Hi all, I planted this honeysuckle this year as I wanted a shade tolerant climber around my door. It grew amazingly despite not flowering (as all the growth was new this year), but I have since discovered that they hate being grown in pots. I may replant in the ground somewhere shady but does anyone have any suggestions of another shade tolerant climber I can plant in a pot in its place? Or can I make the honeysuckle work here? Do some clematis or roses or hops like full shade? In the height of summer this area gets a couple of hours of direct sunlight in the morning but for the rest of the day and rest of the year it is shaded heavily by the house. Thanks in advance! 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    There clematis to suit every location, and many are happy in pots
    Take a look at the specialist sites - Taylor's Clematis, Thorncroft and Hawthornes. Peter Beales, the rose growers, also do very good clematis. 

    A honeysuckle would never thrive in a tiny pot like that, so best to get it into the ground somewhere  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Bright starBright star Posts: 1,153
    I have grown clematis Comtesse de Bouchard in complete shade in a very large pot at my last house. It was stunnng and a lovely rich  rosy pink colour.
    Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

  • InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568
    Honeysuckle need sun and warmth to flower well, especially the Japanese ones. Clematis is brilliant if it can get its head into the sun.
    Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    No - lots of clematis need no sun at all  :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree @Fairygirl  😊 

    The gorgeous scented clematis Fuji-musume would be happy there and is fine for a container... although it needs a bigger one than the photo shows. 


    Clematis alpina Blue Dancer would also do well there if given a large enough container. 





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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Whites are always good for shade, or paler colours, although some of the stronger colours also benefit from some shade, as they bleach a lot in sunny sites.
    The alpinas and macropetalas are particularly good, as they like drier conditions, so they can be well suited to pots. They don't need so much attention, or food, either, and need no, or minimal, pruning. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • K.e.dziubinskaK.e.dziubinska Posts: 16
    Thankyou all, this is most helpful! I will find a spot under our apple tree for the poor honeysuckle - is it worth cutting it down before moving or should I preserve this year's growth (albeit a bit straggly at the bottom) and tie it in so that I get flowers next year? 

    Any suggestions for a good pot size for a clematis? And is it possible to get a specimen that will flower next year (ie. Something that flowers on new growth/comes with the old growth attached?). 

    Thanks again! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd cut it back  - the foliage isn't doing anything for the plant now anyway  :)
    Just make sure you plant it far enough away from the tree so that it isn't dry. 
    The pot you use for the clematis will depend on the size you buy. The one in your pic looks fine for one of the smaller types I mentioned. 
    Don't buy tiny plants from supermarkets etc. Buy from one of the specialists mentioned. They will be guaranteed at least a couple of years old, as opposed to what retail places sell, which is basically a cutting from the previous year. GCs will have stocks too, but they may not have the info you need, or suitable varieties, so do some homework on varieties which are suitable for your position. :)
    You're looking for a Group 1 or 2 mainly , for a pot. Not a montana though - they aren't suitable. 
    Read a bit on those sites so that you get an idea of what's involved. You can search the sites for plants suited to a pot. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • K.e.dziubinskaK.e.dziubinska Posts: 16
    @Fairygirl that's so helpful thankyou! I'll enjoy doing the homework and will find a better home for my honeysuckle... I bought it from Lidl and it must have been a cutting as you suggested, although it grew very well this year and the foliage was beautiful 😊
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Here's another site that's useful for info on clematis  :)

    http://www.clematisinternational.com/growing.html

    There's nothing wrong with buying small plants, as long as you're aware that they'll take a while to reach their full size, and therefore need care - potting on etc. It's why they're much cheaper too  ;)
    Your honeysuckle will thank you for being in a better position too. They are basically woodland plants, so like their roots in a cool, damp spot, and planted somewhere that they have a structure, or a hedge/tree to climb up, rather than against a fence or wall. They're messier plants,  not quite as well behaved as clematis  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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