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Climber needed for a very narrow sunny spot - is it really possible?

Hi.  In our driveway, we have a little spot where we would like to plant a climber.  We maybe completely dreaming that this is possible, but we are beginners.

Please bear with me while I explain the background: The spot is is against our neighbour's garage which runs alongside our garage, but sticks out further, and has a lower roof. We want to make it difficult for someone to climb up here and gain access to windows.

So, we want to put some trellis and a climber against the small section of wall, as we think this would make it more difficult to climb. The wall size is 1.8m high x 1.1m wide.

We are looking for:

  • No prickles - our very young children brush past here when getting to the car.
  • Grows on trellis
  • Not invasive to brickwork
  • Average to fast growing
  • West-Facing wall
  • Ideally an evergreen, but as long as it provides security it doesn't really matter
  • And possibly the clincher - the ground space is +110cm long, but only 6cm wide between the paving and the wall (plenty room for weeds, hopefully a climber too).

Please give me any suggestions you have. 

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Posts

  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904

    Anyone with ill intent will just climb up unless you have thorns.

    Pyracantha would be perfect and teach your children that not everything is made of fluff and marshmallow. They'll need to learn eventually anyway. image

  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904

    WWAAAA don't touch my stuff! image

    Perfect solution. And it looks lovely too.

  • scghscgh Posts: 6

    Thanks for the Pyracantha suggestion plant pauper and pansyface.

    I have just looked up some info on Pyracantha (as I had never heard of it), but according to RHS it has to be planted at least 50cm out from the fence.  I guess my 6cm won't work then.  Ah, this might not be as easy as I first thought.

    I guess I should look at all thorny options...

     

     

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,140

    Most plants need to be planted some way away from the fence.  Six centimetres is a very small space for any climber's roots image


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





  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904

    Could you squeeze even a little bit for some kind of container? Not ideal of course but it might help a bit. image

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,078

    Nothing will grow well in just 6cms of soil.   There'll never be enough food and water for it to thrive.

    You can buy a spiky attachment that you screw to the top of the fence.  Won't take up any space, won't hurt the kids.  Will stop intruders.  Have a look at these - https://www.insight-security.com/fence-spikes-and-wall-spikes 

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Campsis radicans (bignonia) would love a sunny wall as would morning glory

    in a narrow space like that you will have too water it from time to time, and liquyid feed to get it going

    virginia creeper is another - but regular watering will be the key to your success

  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511

    SCGH says that although only 6 cm deep the space is 110 cm wide.  I think something would grow in that space if the roots were teased and trailed out sideways when planted.  I think pyracantha would grow in this space or what about honeysuckle or a clematis? Not evergreen usually, though or perhaps a rose.

    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,140

    My Campsis radicans is in a very large pot, it is very thirsty and needs a watering can full of water most days in the summer, and it has a huge rootball - I can't see it;s roots fitting in a tiny space like that image


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





  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904

    Maybe if it went in as a small plant the pyracantha roots would go down instead.

    image

     

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