Wanted: vigorous creeper that will cover ugly 6ft high fence panels from March onwards

[TreasuredMim]

Planning to market house in March 2023 and want to cover ugly fence panels. What can I plant this year that will create the desired effect next year? All advice appreciated.

We've got Clematis Armandii. It's evergreen and flowers as well. We planted ours last year and it took off like a triffid!

Clematis?
OP do not touch anything too invasive like ivy and a creeping hydrangea
They've cost me a fortune in fence and wall maintenance

If your moving ... go for Ivy. It won't be your problem when it gets too vigorous!

Yes to Clematis Armandii. Evergreen, big shiny leaves, pretty white flowers, grows VERY fast. Can take over so needs keeping in check in the longer run.

Virginia Creeper grows fast, leaves change to red in the autumn.

Our Jasmine has gone everywhere very quickly and it smells lonely

I was going to suggest clematis montana, which grows really quickly and has lovely pink flowers in spring time / early summer. But sounds like armamdii is better as it's evergreen (montana is deciduous so loses all its leaves in autumn). Another option could be a honeysuckle japonica (something like Halls Prolific) which would be semi evergreen and also grow quickly. What aspect is the fence? Does it get lots of sun or more shaded? That will help inform your choice.

And yes agreed please no ivy!

@MunsteadWood

I was going to suggest clematis montana, which grows really quickly and has lovely pink flowers in spring time / early summer. But sounds like armamdii is better as it's evergreen (montana is deciduous so loses all its leaves in autumn). Another option could be a honeysuckle japonica (something like Halls Prolific) which would be semi evergreen and also grow quickly. What aspect is the fence? Does it get lots of sun or more shaded? That will help inform your choice.

Montana is beautiful, that would be a lovely choice OP.

Thanks all. Will investigate clematis montana and Armandii - sound just what I need.

Fence is fairly shady - unsure of aspect.

@Roselilly36

Virginia Creeper grows fast, leaves change to red in the autumn.

But isn't evergreen and looks dreadful in winter. I have a thread on this in gardening

Montana is beautiful, that would be a lovely choice OP. but in march it would still be largely a mass of dead stems. Evergreen is probably better

Mile a minute grows quickly and has lots of tiny flowers

Clematis like the sun. Roots in shade, face in the sun.

This is very true, I had one in my old garden and was always surprised at how late into the spring it seemed to come back to life after winter. Armandii probably better from that POV.

Sorry that was supposed to be a reply to @MereDintofPandiculation

Montana is so beautiful, but as Mere says I think it wouldn't yet be in flower by March so prob not best choice if you're looking to market then OP.

Only plant mile a minute if your planning on moving far far away

Passion flower. Leaves stay on all year and it flowers for months. Grows like mad!

Do your neighbours a favour and don't plant too densely, our neighbours have planted climbers/scramblers all along their fence and every time they need a repair because the plants have got into the gaps and broken the panels or pushed them backwards they have to send their fencing people into our garden to do it. Also if you have any trees close to the fence some of these climbers will scramble up al over it and be hard to contain.

Solanum Alba or Solanum Crispum Glasnevin grow very fast and are lovely when in bloom. Might not be ready for March though.

Interesting to hear that Montana flowers later than expected.

Theunamedcat

Only plant mile a minute if your planning on moving far far away