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Climbing plant suggestions

Kim.bradbury70Kim.bradbury70 Posts: 2
in Plants
Hi, just wondering whether anyone has a suggestion for a climbing plant to go alongside my front door please? It's south facing & needs to be in a container due to a block paved drive. I'd like it to be evergreen and hardy with some interest eg berries or flowers if possible. I've done so much reading and research but nothing seems to quite fit the bill! Photo of door attached - I'd like the plant to go to the right hand side of the door and to be trained up and over the top. Any suggestions gratefully received, thanks! 
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  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I don't have any suggestions for suitable evergreen plants, but anything to get that size will need a very large container, much bigger than the little ones you have there.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited November 2022
    I think you might be struggling because there is nothing that really fits your brief. A climber that will reach the top of your door will need a good deep root run to do well 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Ivy's about the only thing I can think of.
    There aren't many evergreen climbers which will be happy long term in a container.
    Some clematis varieties will be fine, with the right care, but none are evergreen. 

    A lot of people grow the evergreen star jasmine - Trachelospermum jasminoides, but it isn't reliably hardy everywhere, and I don't think it's keen on being restricted in a pot.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I was thinking that Trachelospermum jasminoides might be suitable too, but only if you're in a mild part of the UK.  Monty Don shows you how to plant one in a container in the video in this link - he doesn't use a very big pot!

    How To Grow Star Jasmine, Trachelospermum Jasminoides | BBC Gardeners World Magazine

    Alternatively one of the larger leaved ivies might suit but I wouldn't like one clinging to a house wall!  
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    edited November 2022
    A friend of mine has two Trachelospermum jasminoides in pots, one by her front door in shade and one by the back door in full sun, for quite a few years now. They're up to the height of both doors although I can't quite remember if she has also trained them over the top. She does live in a city in the fairly mild SW. 

    You could try an evergreen winter flowering clematis like C.'Freckles' perhaps which might survive for a few years with lots of watering but don't try C. 'Armandii' as it's too vigorous.

    My neighbour has a Pyracantha which is evergreen, has red or orange berries and likes full sun but is prickly. I have a potted one too, in full sun on the front terrace but it really struggles in the heat.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited November 2022
    @Kim.bradbury70 I would avoid Ivy too. If you want to remove it in years to come there will be marks on the brick work that won't come off. Whatever you plant in a pot needs to have the compost replaced every few years as it starts to lack nutrients another problem.
    T Jasminoides will grow here in south Notts but if we do get a few days of frost it will struggle and you could be looking at a brown mess. Sorry to sound down about this but best to have the info.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Kim.bradbury70Kim.bradbury70 Posts: 2
    Thanks guys, appreciate your comments & suggestions.  I'd definitely be getting a bigger pot anyway as those small black ones currently there are being moved to the back garden. I did think about a star jasmine but it sounds like nothing is going to be ideal, which is a shame. I'll have to have a re-think on how I can brighten up the front of my house now! 
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I try to cheer up my front door area with plantings in containers according to the season.  Garden centres often have an area dedicated to container plants which will give you some ideas.  This GW article has some good tips for winter containers:

    https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/best-plants-for-winter-containers/
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Kim.bradbury70 If you are looking to do some seasonal pots one plant that you could include is Ophiopogon together with Helleborus Niger together with some trailing plants.All can go in the back garden at a later date.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You have plenty of room there @Kim.bradbury70, so a collection of matching or similar pots of varying sizes, with plants of all types,  is always a good idea, as others have said. 
    Even small pots with a few bulbs can be put on top of a couple of bricks, and hidden behind something else, to get extra height. Chop and change according to the season. I do that in my garden anyway  :)

    I was going to suggest Pyracantha, but many people don't like it beside a door. I've had it in that position and it was never a problem, but they need more attention if potted.
    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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