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Original poster

Climbing plants

27 replies

Merryoldgoat · 27/04/2019 13:44

Our house has zero character but we’ve got a bit of cash now so we’re going to make improvements.

I’m adding a porch which will have a pitch to match our roof (the front is gable ended) and want to add some climbing plants.

Can someone tell me what the greenery is in this pic? Obv the rhs is wisteria but what’s on the lhs?

How do I maintain climbing plants?

Any advice welcome/appreciated.

Climbing plants
OP posts:
TiddleTaddleTat · 27/04/2019 19:00

Hmm not sure about the green climber. Try reposting on the gardening board perhaps

MaisyMary77 · 27/04/2019 19:05

I think the green one could be honey suckle. I’ve got one all around my front door and it looks quite similar.

MaisyMary77 · 27/04/2019 19:06

Oh- I get a gardener in to hack my honey suckle back every now and then as it has become absolutely huge!

Minnie881 · 27/04/2019 19:35

Climbing hydrangea is worth a look, clings to walls but doesn't damage so no need for supports..,

Climbing plants
Minkies11 · 27/04/2019 19:39

There's a climbing hydrangea? runs to the garden centre

Sirrah · 27/04/2019 19:50

If you get a wisteria, be aware that some flower, others won't. I would go for a thornless climbing rose (not rambling, they go mad) and a clematis or two with different flowering periods. I've assumed the front of your house is sunny?

ShowOfHands · 27/04/2019 20:10

I love my climbing hydrangea but my favourite climber is Akebia Quinata.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 27/04/2019 20:15

Thank you all - I had no idea about climbing hydrangea!!

Yes. Front of house is full south so lots of sun.

OP posts:
Rubytinsleslippers · 27/04/2019 20:16

Clematis?

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 27/04/2019 20:33

I like all of these suggestions.

I will research which is the lowest maintenance and looks nicest all year round.

I love wisteria so much but I’m scared about damaging the front of my house.

OP posts:
Minnie881 · 27/04/2019 20:56

@Minkies11 @Merryoldgoat I love my climbing hydrangea, Monty introduced me last year Grin

bilbodog · 27/04/2019 21:04

Climbing hydrangea is better on a north facing wall. You could go for a wisteria floribunda - doesnt grow so madly as sinensis and has longer flowers but less scent. Loads of climbing roses you could go for.

womanhuman · 27/04/2019 21:07

I’ve been looking at exactly this - I saw the thread and wondered if I’d posted and forgotten!

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=466

Knittedfairies · 27/04/2019 21:11

My climbing hydrangea (hydrangea petiolaris) is on a north-facing wall, and has almost reached the guttering... again. It is spectacular in bloom.

Minkies11 · 27/04/2019 21:16

@Minnie I have a big pot at the front of my house that I want to put a climber in but have gathered that climbing hydrangea don't do well in pots Sad . Shame!

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 27/04/2019 21:18

Can I grow these lovely plants in big pots? I have a concrete front in the house.

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 27/04/2019 21:19

Minkies - are we the same person?!

OP posts:
over50andfab · 27/04/2019 21:41

OP is the pic of your house, or an idea of what you’d like it to look like? That’s a wisteria sinensis- we had one on on our south facing Victorian house. They can take a while to establish but are fabulous and smell gorgeous, especially near a front door..

The important thing is putting the right support in place for whatever you decide on although some are self clinging - like campsis. Re which climbers and pruning, it depends what you buy and where/when they flower - easily googlable. Clematis are lovely - Montana say or Armandii depending on position.

I’m currently growing a few up my fences. Solanum crispum (potato vine) has grown by far the fastest- with the potential to become a thug - but long flowering. Climbing jasmine (scented) and Passion flower are slower but scented (jasmine - also consider honeysuckle) and lovely flowers (Passion flower but can be less hardy).

While whatever you buy is taking off, you could grow some fast shooting annual climbers through them - ipomoea,p, black eyed Susan

Minkies11 · 27/04/2019 21:43

Oh no @merryoldgoat - thwarted!
Can't even squeeze a Wisteria in to liven up my new build facade wails

ImNotNigel · 27/04/2019 21:46

Do not plant them in pots. Dig up some of the concrete and put in decent soil.

Minkies11 · 27/04/2019 22:07

@ImNotNigel - do you know if the roots would do any damage? Have gravel at the front of my house but never checked to see what's under it....

ImTheRealHFella · 27/04/2019 22:10

A Clematis for sprint and a lovely David Austin climbing rose for summer. They should intertwine well. You will need structure for them to shoot up though

ImNotNigel · 27/04/2019 22:36

The roots of roses and clematis are shallow and limited and so wont do any harm. Ive just dug up a clematis that was 5 years old and the main rootball was about the size of a large shoe box.

I assume they will be bigger on a wisteria as they grow large and live a long time. But they often grow on old houses with no foundations, so i dont see why it would be an issue on a modern house.

But you can’t plant anything until you’ve checked what’s under your gravel. In case its concrete . If its type one ( which it should be ) you need to take some out and put in some soil.

Minkies11 · 27/04/2019 22:41

Thanks @ImNotNigel - I'm going to have a look tomorrow. My back garden is clay almost so am no stranger to digging/gritting/tinkering with the soil!
Just have to find something that'll put up with shade.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 27/04/2019 23:42

@over50andfab

If only that were my house! Mine is a characterless 90s facade that I’m desperate to improve.

My soul is very clay like but I can’t dig up the concrete - it has to be a pot so maybe I can’t have a climber.

OP posts: