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West facing house wall in need of coverage

AestheticDebrisAestheticDebris Posts: 1
edited August 2023 in Garden design
back of our house is very plain and needs some coverage quick. It faces west - I was thinking Virginia creeper might work well ? Any other suggestions for fast growing and suitable for pots ? Thanks !


Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That won't last long in a pot I'm afraid. You'd have to constantly prune it to keep it happy, which defeats the purpose.  :)
    There aren't many large climbers which will do the job of covering a big wall, unless you build a large, purpose built container for it.  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @AestheticDebris.  I agree with @Fairygirl. Personally I wouldn't cover that wall with a climber, it would be a nightmare to maintain with all those windows.
    If the plant has to be potted, then two big pots, with perhaps trellis on the wall behind with maybe clematis or roses in, one by the downpipe and one under the right hand lower window will help break up the expanse of wall quite nicely and be far easier to maintain.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Ah - the photo wasn't there when I posted.  :)
    I agree with @Lizzie27 - trying to grow a climber with those windows would involve a lot of maintenance.
    In addition to the advice Lizzie has given, another alternative is something shrubbier which can be trained under that window on the right. Cotoneaster, Pyracantha etc. They can be shaped quite easily. Even something broader in habit would be ok if you have room there to let it grow outwards. 
    There seems to be a 'corner' by the patio doors, on the right, so that would  take a clematis or rose as long as the container was a suitable size. There are hundreds of varieties of them.  A good support attached to the wall first. Trellis, which is readily available, or a hand made one with battens. You can also get decorative metal ones depending on the size of the space,  and your budget. 
    Anything potted will need more attention compared to being in the ground, so that's always important to remember. Good quality soil based medium, and food and water according to the plant.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    As well as the points raised how would you maintain and paint that rendered surface with a climber all over it?
    A few large pots with shrubs at the top of those steps will soon soften the view. 



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





  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    Hanging baskets/window boxes. Easier to maintain, change with the seasons. Easier to keep watered.
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