climber for shady fence?

[Cosmosis]

As above, any recommendations for a climbing plant to grow up a reasonably shady fence? It does get some sun, but probably more shade than sun really.

[PlasticQueen]

Climbing hydrangea.

[Cosmosis]

thanks plasticqueen, will have a look at one of those.

[Bettymum]

I was going to suggest the same thing. You could also try a golden hop - they aren't so golden in the shade, more green, but they will grow.

[Cosmosis]

Thanks bettymum, funnily enough I was looking at a golden hop yesterday as well.

[freya555]

Varigated ivy looks good in shade - if you like ivy that is - some dont !advantage is all round cover but then im an ivy addict!

[fufflebum]

we have a pyracanthus (apologies if spelling incorrect). It is not a climber as such by looks good, despite sharp thorns and has berries and flowers etc at different times of the year. We have had them in a similar sun/shade situation as no problems....

[neversaydie]

If you like clematis, there is one called Nellie Moser which does well in shade. Big pink flowers with a white stripe up the middle.

[PrettyCandles]

I'm having good results with a solanum crispum glasvenin (Potato Vine) in a similar spot. It can be grown either as a climber (in whcih case it needs support) or a shrub, and tolerates quite a lot of abuse. I haven't pruned mine yet, it's only just over 1y old and it's already near the top of the fence, but others I've seen have been hacked back every year or two and grown thick and lush.

[LyraSilvertongue]

We got clematis and honeysuckle for our mostly shady fence. The labels at the garden centre told us which varieties like shade and which don't.

[fishie]

chinese virginia creeper. it is not invasive and very pretty.

passion flower

[Cosmosis]

thanks for all the advice, loads to look at there.

[Bettymum]

I have the chinese Virginia creeper on the front of the house, it hasn't been in long but it's growing well.
A house just down the road has one at the side, basically growing in a shady alley. If it'll grow there it must grow anywhere! And yes it is very pretty.
Have you seen the crocus website?

[Cosmosis]

Bettymum, I have just discovered the crocus website and have spent a long time on there in the last day or so! It's great

[JetLi]

In my shady garden I have lots of success with passion flowers plus they're evergreen.

[LuluSkipToMyLou]

+1 to passion flowers, I'm always having to hack mine back it does so well!

[Bettymum]

Cosmosis
Re passion flowers, we had one at our old house that devoured the garage. DH's old neighbours had one scrambling up the conifer hedge at the bottom of their garden, which was pretty shady. The thing was ENORMOUS!

[GrimmaTheNome]

Our pyracanthus grew far too well and was a real bugger to get rid of... good if you want a natural alternative to barbed wire!

Clematis montana good for spring.

[Cosmosis]

I had assumed passion flowers would want loads of sun. Now you've all offered me so many suggestsions I don't know what to go for

[GrimmaTheNome]

so grow something more solid first and then send the more delicate things like clematis scrambling up after!