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Climbers which won't block out the sun

mathewdavidbrownmathewdavidbrown Posts: 39
in Plants
Hi all, I'm looking for a summer flowering climber to grow up either side of an arch which stands at the foot of a border. I'm after something which isn't a light-blocking mass of leaves, as clematis tends to be. Any recommendations?

Thanks

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    A bit difficult. All climbers have quite a lot of leaves. They wouldn't thrive without them  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • CharlotteFCharlotteF Posts: 337
    With the exception of some of the larger - leaved spring flowering types I don't find clematis too heavy. Most of mine are group 3s and the foliage is fairly delicate. I can't think of any climbers that keep all their leaves at the bottom, that would be convenient 😉
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Many of my clematis have plenty of foliage at the bottom, especially the early alpinas etc, but if they're left to their own devices, and especially if not properly pruned,  they can be leggy, with all the foliage at the top. 
    Have you got a photo of the site @mathewdavidbrown? I'm struggling to get an idea of how it looks  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • mathewdavidbrownmathewdavidbrown Posts: 39
    Fairygirl said:
    Many of my clematis have plenty of foliage at the bottom, especially the early alpinas etc, but if they're left to their own devices, and especially if not properly pruned,  they can be leggy, with all the foliage at the top. 
    Have you got a photo of the site @mathewdavidbrown? I'm struggling to get an idea of how it looks  :)
    I should have thought of that really. I'll take a shot in the morning :blush:
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Hi @mathewdavidbrown, it depends on your soil type and aspect.  Some jasmines, like Star jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides, are quite fine leafed, or there's the possiblility of a climbing rose, which can be pruned to be as bulky or sparse as you like.  I'm sure someone will have a suitable recommendation but here's a taster:

    English Rose Climbers | David Austin roses
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • mathewdavidbrownmathewdavidbrown Posts: 39
    Plantminded said:
    Hi @mathewdavidbrown, it depends on your soil type and aspect.  Some jasmines, like Star jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides, are quite fine leafed, or there's the possiblility of a climbing rose, which can be pruned to be as bulky or sparse as you like.  I'm sure someone will have a suitable recommendation but here's a taster:

    English Rose Climbers | David Austin roses
    Trachelospermum jasminoides I'm growing at the back, so maybe worth seeing how that turns out. Good call. Believe it or not, it didn't cross my mind! 
  • mathewdavidbrownmathewdavidbrown Posts: 39
    Fairygirl said:
    Many of my clematis have plenty of foliage at the bottom, especially the early alpinas etc, but if they're left to their own devices, and especially if not properly pruned,  they can be leggy, with all the foliage at the top. 
    Have you got a photo of the site @mathewdavidbrown? I'm struggling to get an idea of how it looks  :)
    As promised. My yard looks a bit like Aleppo at the moment, but you get the idea. 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    A lot of Clematis would work very well there.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    I'd agree. Loads of clematis that would suit that site, whether planted into the border on the left, or in a new space on the right. 
    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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