Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Fast growing evergreen climber safe for children

Kat FootKat Foot Posts: 10
in Problem solving
Hi all, I was wondering if anyone could help me choose the right plant to cover a hideaway I'm planning to create for my daughter. I'm thinking about a basic structure covered in mesh (either teepee or dome). It will be in a full sun location which can sometimes be quite windy. I'm not too worried if it's a non flowering plant, but I would prefer an evergreen that is quite vigorous. No thorns or poisonous plants for obvious reasons? Can anyone help please?

Posts

  • Katherine WKatherine W Posts: 410

    I am not a kid (or so my driving licence says), but I want a willow wigwam. image

    Ar you sure you need an evergreen? after all you are probably not going to use it very much in winter...

  • Kat FootKat Foot Posts: 10
    I did consider the wigwam, but I was trying to achieve that kind of look slightly cheaper if possible. We have lots of bamboo and mesh already! Katherine, I think you're probably right and I don't necessarily need an evergreen. Have you got any suggestions?
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933

    How about using annual plants such as runner beans, sweet peas, campsis etc. oe even a mix of them all?

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,138

    All you need to do is to cut some willow withies from a rural hedgerow (obviously ask the owner first) and stick them in the ground and keep the soil moist - doesn't come much cheaper than that image

    But that won't be ready to play in this summer - I think if it were me I'd use the bamboo and mesh with some annual climbers like trailing nasturtiums, peas, runner beans, even a butternut squash all clambering over it, and in the meantime be organising a willow dome to plant in the autumn image


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





  • Katherine WKatherine W Posts: 410

    Yep! What Dove said!

    A perennial creeper that will grow really quick is Hops. it is a bit of a thug but I like it.it's supposed to be dangerous to dogs but my pooch doesn't seem bothered by the big plant just outside my door. it can become invasive but we control it by eating the delicious young shoots in spring image

     

  • Kat FootKat Foot Posts: 10
    I think Dove is right! Just had a look at Willow costs and I can get all the long whips needed for a 6ft x 6ft done for ??35! My only concern is that we regularly get deer feeding on our plants - constantly working on keeping our baby laurel hedge from being decimated.... I like the idea of creating a temporary one for this year - sweet pea is probably my favourite option. I still have some seeds. Too late to sow? Should I just get some plants? Thanks everyone!



    Btw, this is the company I found with the best deal for the whips.

    http://www.willowwithies.co.uk/product_range/index.htm
Sign In or Register to comment.