Climbers up an East-facing shed

sb3-Kpx6edS · January 2023

I would like to grow a couple of climbing plants up an East-facing wall of a garden shed. It must survive winter temperatures down to about minus 5°C. Any advice?

Dovefromabove · January 2023

Can you tell us a bit more?

Whereabouts roughly are you?

What sort of support can you fix to the shed wall, or are you looking for something that will cling without additional supports?
What’s the soil like?
How wide and how tall is the wall?

Fairygirl · January 2023

Plenty of clematis will suit, but the extra info @Dovefromabove mentions will help further

A single clematis of almost any type would easily cover a shed wall, but if it isn't a standard size, that makes a difference.

Busy-Lizzie · January 2023

I had climbing rose "The Pilgrim" on an east wall.

Slow-worm · January 2023

Honeysuckle? I don't know what hybrids there are now, but standard ones seem to grow anywhere, and you can get evergreen ones.

JennyJ · January 2023

Is there soil to plant into, or will you be using containers? Many climbers aren't great in containers.

bertrand-mabel · January 2023

Everygreen Clematis armandii. Ours has done brilliantly over the years and last year the flowers were.......fab for so long

Paul B3 · January 2023

I had Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper) on a NE wall for many years ; especially useful in the Autumn for brightening up a dull spot .

Fairygirl · January 2023

We need @sb3-Kpx6edS to come back with the necessary info.

As @JennyJ rightly says - if there's no soil, and it's going to be containers, several of the suggestions won't really thrive unless it's purpose built, and very large, container.

sb3-Kpx6edS · February 2023

My East-facing shed is in north Belgium and is about 2m high and 3m. I was thinking of using old ladders to support the climbers up the shed. I'll plant in the soil - the soil is currently too sandy, so I'm planning to dig a trench and fill it with composted soil as the only things growing there now are self-seeded foxglove and hollyhock (1 of each). Thanks for great suggestions for clematis armandii, the Pilgrim rose (I didn't know roses could grow on an East-facing wall), honeysuckle and Virginia Creeper! I really am lost here, so all suggestions warmly welcomed and I'll then see what I can source....

Fairygirl · February 2023

@Obelixx lived in Belgium for many years, so she might be able to advise further.

Make sure you add plenty of organic matter to the planting hole - and make it much bigger than the root ball of the plant. A big square is better than a long trench.
You'll only need one climber for a wall that size. The general climate is a factor - wet/dry etc, as you'll need to be vigilant with watering until the plant's established. Don't plant too near the wall either - about a foot to 18 inches away [30cm - 45 cm]

Virginia creeper [Parthenocissus quinquefolia] is probably too big - it covers entire house walls, and more, very easily once established

Climbers up an East-facing shed

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