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Anyone know what this is?

tsptsp Posts: 18
in Plants
Hello all
First time poster here. Looking forward to contributing to the forum as I get more involved.
First up though is an identification question. Does anyone know what this is? Photos from the summer but I’ve only just got around to thinking about this in more detail.It grows up one side of a neighbours fence then trails down the other side. I want to replicate this as part of measures to protect my wooden fence panels from unwanted attention - my fence is next to a public footpath (and my only option, as confirmed by my local council is to have something planted on my land and hanging over the fence). Whatever this is it doesn’t look like it will suck the life out of the fence like ivy would. 
Thank you in advance. Tom

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Russian Vine. Aka mile a minute. An absolute menace
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • tsptsp Posts: 18
    Thank you! I’ll do some research…. The term menace doesn’t sound good! 
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    edited November 2021
    Russian Vine can grow 12 metres in a season, very invasive. Have a look at this 
    https://www.sundaygardener.co.uk/fallopia-russian-vine-mile-a-minute-plant.html
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    It can look very pretty but can get very out of control.
    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/2009/sep/24/gardens1

     I planted one nearly 40 years ago in a garden and have felt guilty ever since. It was fine when we moved as it hadn't been planted very long, and no one was really aware of just what a thug it is back then. I often wonder what happened to it and how the new residents coped with it.

    Like you, we planted it as our fence was next to an alleyway. I'm wondering whether shrubs such as pyracantha or berberis would be more suitable as they are extremely prickly. If someone tried climbing over and landed in amongst them they'd certainly know about it.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Clematis montana would be better.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • AsarumAsarum Posts: 661
    Fallopia baldschuanica - my late husband called it 'bullshitanium'.
    East Anglia
  • LunarSeaLunarSea Posts: 1,923
    It grows fast and covers everything but doesn't spread underground so is quite easy to get rid of once you've decided it has to go. A couple of hour's work with the shredder and all that's left is a stump that can be treated with SBK brushwood killer.

    Agree Clematis montana is maybe more desirable but even that can become a thug  :)
    Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. 

    I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    some decided to plant one and train it into a conifer hedge ( before we arrived )
    I've been trying to kill it for 10 years
    Devon.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    There’s a Russian Vine along the A47 that stretches for at least half a mile …. they spread so rampantly because everywhere a growing tip touches the ground it takes root 😱

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





  • Katrinaomalley44Katrinaomalley44 Posts: 7
    I'd be wary. We had one and the neighbours had to ask us to cut it right back as it was growing into their car every night! It was a bit crazy - a bit science fiction. 
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