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Child Safe Climbers

ciaranmcgreneraciaranmcgrenera Posts: 313
in Plants
We recently got a large wooden climbing frame/ slide/ swings in the garden. We have two young children and it’s going to realistically be there for 10 years. On one side I plan to add some lattice to grow something up it. I don’t want to let things vine around the legs as I’ll have to treat the wood every year or two.

Can anyone suggest any child safe climbers? I’m thinking even something as simple as Hedera or something like that at the moment. Obviously berries are a no no. Flowers would be nice but not necessarily a must have- safety is the priority.

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Why are berries a no no? Plenty of edible fruit bushes climb. I've got a good bird book that my four year old loves that has the birds sat in various berry bearing plants and we learn the names of the birds, and that some berries are bad for people but good for birds. 
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited April 2022
    Thornless blackberries - yes yes.

    Which poisonous climbers were you thinking of? 
  • ciaranmcgreneraciaranmcgrenera Posts: 313
    To be honest I wasn’t thinking of anything specific. I just didn’t equate something that might climb the 3/ 4m up the full height of the thing with edible berries.

    I really haven’t a clue what would be good so I’m open to anything safe.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited April 2022
    Kiwi, grapes. It could be fun to grow cucumber, squash or runner beans on the climbing frame.
  • ciaranmcgreneraciaranmcgrenera Posts: 313
    That’s a great idea actually. I’ve got some reading to do it would seem!
  • seacrowsseacrows Posts: 234
    Sweet peas. A different colour every year and you can treat the wood in winter.

    I don't know if it's true for all ivies, but at least one variety has poisonous pollen. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Where you live will be a factor, as with all planting.  :)
    Some plants won't thrive at all in the wrong conditions. The aspect is also important.

    As always, clematis are a good bet, but as indicated above by @seacrows, if you want access for maintenance,  annuals are a good idea, because it gives you a chance to get that. Sweet peas, and Ipomoea [morning glory] are good. The latter prefers a decent amount of sun, while the former does very well in a shadier spot. A Group 3 clematis would also be fine as they get cut right back in spring.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I thought the "peas" that sweet peas produce if you don't dead-head them were poisonous? Probably only mildly so, and the pods don't really look much like the pods of edible peas but I suppose a small child might not know the difference. Why not grow edible peas (a tall variety) or mange-tout or sugar snaps?
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    If you are really concerned about your child eating poisonous berries, I don't think it's a good idea to plant and encourage them to eat edible berries near the climbing frame until you are sure that they know which berries are safe to eat. What looks different to you won't necessarily look different to a young child.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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