Forum home Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Climber for total shade pot

Hi all, hoping to ask advice please. I have a new build home with a very ugly breeze block patio wall (2m high) which receives no sun year round as it's shaded by the house. Is there any climber that would survive in a pot in total shade? Understand star Jasmine tolerates shade but may not flower-is it my best bet? Thanks so much!

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Plenty of clematis. Take a look at the specialist sites - Taylors, Thorncroft and Hawthornes. Many of the early ones [alpinas for example] are fine in shade, and don't mind being in pots as they like drier conditions.
    Star jasmine isn't suited to a pot unfortunately. It also isn't hardy everywhere, so it would depend whereabouts you live   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Thanks very much Fairygirl will check them out, hadn't thought of clematis as I was hoping for evergreen, but it's a tricky spot so I may be asking too much! South East of Ireland here :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Might be ok there for jasmine, but the pot is still difficult, as well as aspect. A large container and some sun would be ok, but I think it's a bridge too far for your site  :)

    You could also consider things like Chaenomeles - flowering quince. Not sure how well it would do in a pot long term though.
    If you were able to construct a raised bed of some kind, that would give you more scope than relying on pots  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Love the idea of a flowering quince, lovely suggestion! Could construct a bed, however I didn't think it would give me much more depth than a pot (using galvanised bins and oil drums as pots) but every little helps! Thank you so much!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Large bins would certainly be better.
    A good raised bed can look more attractive, but it depends on the space and the size of the wall etc too, and the overall look you want :)

    Lots of sizeable shrubs like Viburnum would also work, or Hydrangeas if they have adequate room. Rhodos and Pieris too. As long as the soil mix is right, and they have enough watering and food, they could all work well, and you can add spring bulbs or other ground cover to add to the mix an d give a succession of flowering.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited August 2021
    I've got a Trachelospermum on a north facing fence, not in a pot but in a small planting pocket I made by chipping out part of the concrete path. The pocket is surrounded by hardcore... I have others planted in open ground, south facing. The one on the north facing fence is generally healthier and more vigorous than the others, and it does flower; it might be worth a go. Although none of them have been very quick growing, it must be said. If you can get the plant's roots into the actual soil, it will be better than a pot whatever you decide.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Thank you very much Loxley and Fairygirl, armed with a few great ideas now! Sadly wouldn't have a lot of width to play with, but could consider chipping a narrow strip to get climber into the ground
Sign In or Register to comment.