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Ever green plants that do well in full sun?

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Is the fence attached to the wall - or at least in close proximity to it?
    A wisteria would be too big if you can't use the fence too. It isn't evergreen either.
    It wouldn't be great for many climbers really if that's the case. You need the height as well as width. 
    There are a few evergreen clematis - but it'll depend on your climate, and the orientation of the bed, as to what will suit. Take a look at some of the specialist clematis sites for ideas -Taylors, Thorncroft and Hawthornes. Peter Beales [roses] also have good quality clematis. 
    Alternatively, some of the 'pencil' conifers would suit, but although they're generally slow growing, they will need a bit of annual, light trimming,  to keep them neat once they reach the preferred size. Most won't tolerate cutting back hard, as they don't regrow from brown wood, so it's  a case of only taking off the new growth. Some of the Thujas would suit though.
    You could also use Pyracantha as it trains against walls well. Ideally, it likes sun, but it's also quite happy in shadier sites. Bit jaggy, so it depends on your preferences, but it's great for bees etc on spring on the flowers, and lovely berries in autumn for birds. 

    Anything you plant there will need a lot of watering to get established. How well they'll do after that, is down to their aftercare.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • tuffnelljohntuffnelljohn Posts: 284
    Thanks @Fairygirl . Yes, the fence is attached to the wall. Would a wisteria really cover all that? Wow. I didnt know they werent evergreen. (shows you my limited knowledge!! :s )

    OK, perhaps not a wisteria then.

    Evergreen clematis is a good idea. I will investigate further.

    The wall is East facing. In the summer is loses the sun early afternoon (because of surrounding trees and fence).

    I like the look of Pyracantha! Perhaps Ill give that a go. I like the thought of spring flowers and autumn berries. (ie: colour most of the year). Is it a simple case of putting up 3 lengths of wire?

    Ideally I would have an espalier fruit tree against the wall, but I dont think Id have the patience to maintain it.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited July 2021
    Pyracantha is really self supporting so you wouldn't really need wires in the same way as you would for a climber. However, it wouldn't do any harm to have some support early on and you can then train stems if you wish. I've grown it here as a boundary 'hedge' and I've had it as a free standing shrub in previous gardens. I tied in some of the branches on the hedge as I have a fence behind it as well, and that kept them heading the way I wanted in the first few years. I just take off anything that's venturing a bit too far into the border. 
    I've also seen it cloud pruned, so if you like a bit of topiary and trimming, that might suit, although you lose the flower and fruiting aspect a fair bit.  It will eventually have very sturdy trunks and branches, but it can also stand being cut back. 
    If you go down that route, you'll probably need sturdy gloves for protection when pruning  ;)
    You'll need wires attached horizontally to the wall and fence for clematis to wind round as they grow. Or trellis.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • tuffnelljohntuffnelljohn Posts: 284
    Excellent - thanks @Fairygirl !  I will send an update photo in due course!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Definitely not wisteria as they can get huge and go for miles.   One up the road from us escaped from its arch and run along the hedge and continued on along the neighbouring field hedge.  It's been brought under control now but was very long.

    I'd be wary of evergreen clematis.  They tend to have a short flowering season and at a time of year when it's too cold to go out and enjoy the flowers and they sulk in cold winters.   Armandii also has large leaves that can be very dull to look at for the rest of the year.

    Pyracantha is an excellent suggestion as long as you haven't got small kids running a round and falling into it.  Thorns!  However, as @Fairygirl says it's great for wildlife and not difficult to train and manage.

    You could also have a look at pittosporums which offer different leaf colours and forms and well as flowers but will need some formative pruning if you don't want them growing shrub shaped and rounded.  They do lend themselves to use as hedhing plants so don't mind being trimmed.

    Escallonias are another good one for small leaves, pretty flowers and attracting pollinators.



      
    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
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