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Ideas for a potted climber?
Any ideas for a climber for this spot?
Originally we intended to have a raised bed all along that side, from the steps to the end, but now I'd like to have something in a large pot at the bottom of the steps that can grow up and clothe the fence. Obviously evergreen would be nice but not essential. It's near the house and is a north facing garden - this end gets no sun in the winter and not a lot in the summer. BUT the sun does shine in a sliver down the narrow side alley and along the fence, so this spot actually gets much more sun than (eg) the chair would. It could be a bit draughty with the wind also sneaking down the side alley. I'm in SE London.
Thank you!
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
- Cicero
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It would be helpful to know, apart from preferring evergreen, what you like in terns of 1 colour, or 2 scent, and 3 whether you would like to attract wildlife either pollinators like bees, or birds. In an urban garden like this, any wildlife friendly plants go a long way to helping create a more vibrant and interesting garden. But, one suggestion would be Jasmine because it is pretty easy going even though it is not attractive to any wildlife in this country. In London the indoor jasmine Jasminum Polyanthum does well outside on a north facing wall, and when it reaches the top of your fence it will also benefit from the sun from other directions. The flowering is often twice a year, and the scent even stronger than the normal garden jasmine. However, it does like a lot of water esp in flowering seasons, so you would need a tray for the container to sit in also the larger the container the better - and with a good John Innes no. 3 growing medium. It originates from China. I would say that it is pretty much evergreen. If you could have two containers, you could grow Jasminum officianalis (the common garden jasmine) and Jasminum Polyanthum and have jasmine in bloom at different times. One other hint, all climbing plants will need support to get up the first level of the fence before it reaches the trellis, unless the plant has its own ways of clinging to the fence eg like the small ariel root systems of ivy or Hydrangeas Petiolaris the climbing Hydranger, which is also great for a north facing wall, but it might take a couple of years to get going and stick itself to the fence, and it isn't evergreen - however a great plant of substance! If you decide on something like Jasmine, you might be able to get away with nailing green garden netting type support - just make sure the holes are big enough (you can cut your own) to weave the stems in and out of. You can also get something similar that is stiffer and lasts longer. Ideally you would have trellis fixed all the way along the fence, attached to small blocks to give air space between fence and plant, and for easier training. There are many more plant options, but this is hopefully a start!
Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a thorough reply. I didn't specify too much as I would just like to find something that I'll love - I like flowers, I like scent but I didn't want t be too prescriptive. Jasmine may indeed work well and I like the sound of polyanthum. I would be happy to wire the fence in some way for support, but don't really want to trellis it.
I have spent a long time clearing enormous amounts of ivy so don't want to introduce any more than is gong to grow back where I allow (!), and I already have a hydrangea petiolaris on the other side (in even more shade).
Thanks again!
I have a Clematis armandii on a north-facing wall (I live in north west). It is semi-evergreen - mine flowers twice a year and has a wonderful scent.
Oh yes, I've just remembered that I had a solanum album in my old garden - beautiful. But it was in full sun so I wouldn't have thought of it for here. Do you think it would do okay in a container?
I must admit I quite fancy the clematis armandii too - oh decisions decisions.
And my clematis Armandii is in a pot. But solanum alba is now on my shopping list as I was looking for a climber to grow through a boring tree that used to be a hawthorn but seems to have reverted to some unknown root stock