Climber to grow over playhouse

[Catz]

We've just got a new two-storey playhouse (something a bit like this ) and we're looking to grow something up one side of it and over the roof a bit to blend it in with the garden and make it less of an eyesore for the neighbours. The house is up to 2.4 m at the top. It's for a girl and a boy, the boy is currently only 1 so not getting much of a say in the matter but I'm trying to avoid it being utterly girly and pink so that he's not completely pushed out!

If anyone would be able to recommend anything(s) I could train up it I'd be really grateful. Looking for something that will get established quite quickly without completely swamping it, preferably with flowers for a good portion of the year, obviously trying to avoid poison and thorns etc. I was wondering about a thornless climbing rose but am a bit clueless on roses and flowers in general so would really appreciate some help.

Many thanks,

Clematis generally a good bet, honeysuckle is lovely too - both quick growers. Have never heard of a thornless rose sorry.

Thankyou very much. do you know any good varieties of clematis? I guess I could put a couple of different varieties up and try to get a longer flowering season.
I looked up thornless roses here but haven't actually seen any in practice so am not really sure how thornless they are/big they become.

How about a few varieties of Clematis e.g. a Montana and maybe a winter flowering one like Wisley Cream (very fragrant). Honeysuckle another good bet.

I love that playhouse - exactly what I want for my kids!

A climbing hydrangea is a beautiful plant with lovely leaves as well as flowers. It is hardy and a strong grower.

If you get clematis, look at which pruning group it is. A group 3 means you should cut it to knee high each winter so it never gets too big. A group 1 you cut less and can get very big and drown the support.

The RHS website has lots of good info.

Would an evergreen ivy be better if you want it to be softened off all year round?

Be careful that you don't plant anything too fragrant as it will attract bees to where the children are playing.

Thank you very much (and good point about the bees - not thought of that). I'd not heard of a climbing hydrangea but the pictures look very nice. I think we will try to find one clematis and something to complement that and give some evergreen cover.
Thank you

(Now I've got to work out how to plan the windowboxes without rotting the wood!)

We have window boxes on the DC's playhouse. We lined them with a plastic bag (rolled the sides of bag down until contained within the box). That way we have little pots of flowers siting in the bag but you can't see the bag inside the window box. This stops most of the water getting on to the wood when we water the plants. Have been doing that for years and no rot at all.