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Trailing plant/climber for top of picket fence

5 replies

Vestito · 24/08/2024 08:41

We are planning to put up a 3ft picket fence at the front of our house, I would like to soften the look of it with some trailing climber going across the top.

So I’m looking for suggestions please - the wishlist: ideally evergreen; easy to cut back - no thorns (yes, I’m looking at you pyracantha); soft grower like clematis or honeysuckle but maybe not the mad vigorous growth of honeysuckle; some flowers would be nice but not essential. It would be south facing and fairly exposed.

There will be roughly 40 ft of fence - divided into two parts. Open to more than one type if anyone thinks that would work. Like an evergreen one for all year round, and a spring/summer flowering deciduous one?

Thank you!

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Zerro · 24/08/2024 15:59

How about a climbing hydrangea? They will grow in gravel or the tiniest crack of soil, white flowers in spring, easy to prune back I just pull lumps off. Not everrgreen though.

Ihateslugs · 24/08/2024 16:09

Zerro · 24/08/2024 15:59

How about a climbing hydrangea? They will grow in gravel or the tiniest crack of soil, white flowers in spring, easy to prune back I just pull lumps off. Not everrgreen though.

I wish my climbing hydrangea would flower! I’ve had it for 12 years and all it’s done is slowly grow up the fence with just one stem, few side off shoots and no flowers! I must have it in the wrong location.

APurpleSquirrel · 24/08/2024 16:45

Hydrangeas like shade so won't be happy in a south-facing garden.

Look at climbing roses, maybe mixed with star jasmine or jasmine/clematis.

brambleberries · 24/08/2024 17:14

A few queries...How much maintenance will the fence require? How much time/effort do you have to keep climbers under control?

Purely from my own experience, I've found climbers are the plants that need the most effort to keep them looking good and well behaved (apologies if you know this already).

Are you looking for:
A climber that is self-clinging with suckers or aerial roots, such as an ivy - these can grow rapidly and be difficult to restrain.

Climbers with a twining habit such as jasmine or clematis - these will need wires or trellis to support them. Depending on the variety they can need regular attention to prevent an overgrown tangled mess. The more delicate varieties tend to be the more temperamental ones.

Climbers with a trailing habit such as roses or cotoneaster - these also need a trellis or support and need to be tied in.

Similar to these are shrubs that can be trained as a short climber.
This will also need some support and tying in. The advantage is once established it is likely to need less effort to keep it looking good, is easier to keep within its bounds, and won't grow too vigorously for the space.

Growing two varieties of climber is possible, but allowing them to intertwine will make it difficult to trim back to size and shape without damaging the other one.

My suggestion would be to have several shrubs that can be trained as climbers, and train them early on for fuss-free results later.

Depending on soil type - Thornless (or near thornless) roses such Rosa Gertrude Jekyll, or Rosa Iceberg; interspersed at intervals with Shrubby Winter honeysuckle Lonicera fragrantissima - (not evergreen but winter-flowering with fragrant, cream-white flowers).

Other options for training shrubs: Garrya elliptica James Roof; and Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens. Both are evergreen.

Vestito · 24/08/2024 20:53

Thanks everyone. Thanks for the very helpful reply, @brambleberries - lots to think about.
To answer some of the questions - the fence will be pressure treated, and stained. From my experience of the fence at the back, it doesn’t need annual or even bi-annual maintenance. I can trim it at least twice a year, no problem. I don’t want a self clinging one.

I have a clematis that basically is twined in and out over the top of the fence at the back, with no wires. But as you say, it has a tendency to become a big mess. it is a rural location so it doesn’t need to be a very neat, manicured look. I just want to soften the line of the fence.

I will investigate your shrub and rose suggestions - all sound interesting. I think the soil is a very fertile clay. It does sound like a trailing shrub might be the way to go. Thanks again.

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