I previously attempted to grow some appleblossom clematis towards the right-hand end of this patch (the blue arrow is pointing to roughly where it was), but sadly it died. Turns out the soil has lots of heavy clay, which I think defeated it. The patch is south-facing and the higher part of the fence (above the wall) gets full sun for most of the summer. (Ignore the weeds – I know it all needs a tidy.)
What should I try growing instead in the same spot where the clematis was? I’d like something to grow up and as far as possible across the top part of the fence, so it probably needs to be at least 4m long. Something that can easily be trained or grown sideways along that bit. I have a small child playing inside there so ideally nothing with berries (which she eats at will) or too many thorns. Evergreen would be a bonus but isn’t necessary. Repeat flowering across a long period would be a bonus. Good for wildlife would be a bonus too.
I was thinking maybe a climbing rose like Madame Alfred Carriere but I’ve heard that it sometimes struggles to produce flowers. I’m not sure how easy it is to train sideways either. Any other suggestions?
by Affectionate-Job-254
8 Comments
Climbing hydrangea will be happy in south facing clay position
Fast, hardy, can be trimmed to your liking
Star jasmine would get my vote. I’ve planted it
in lots of different places around my house and it has thrived in sun/shade, in pots and in builders rubble around the house. It’s evergreen and has lovely fragrant flowers at least once a year. I would suggest planting straight into the soil though as you won’t need to water it then
These are a few of my climbing favourites.
Honeysuckle, Star Jasmines, Clematis Freckles and Clematis Arman.
Pyracantha coccinea ((Firethorn) once established relatively easy to maintain and stunning at this time of year!!!
Cotoneaster Horizontalis.
You’ll have to wait, BUT massive upside, very easily managed one at your desired height.
I’m looking at honeysuckle (next spring I think). Flowers look beautiful and can come in native varieties, so hoping it is beneficial in other ways. I have jasmine and a rose, already which are also good shouts.
Look into evergreen species of honeysuckle (Lonicera), evergreen species of Wisteria, winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum), hops (humulus lupus), Actinidia kolomikta, Parthenocissus henryana.
Source : RHS encyclopedia of flowers.
Let us know what you go with!
My creepy husband is asking if this is in Nottingham specifically near motorpoint lol