Vigorous Climbers recommendations

Slim4Summer

Hi
I also have a very long wall to cover - clematis montana and russian vine have done well as well as virginia creeper and ivy. Kiwi doesnt like the Scottish climate much and my climbing fuchsias all died. Good luck!

alanobrien

Chilean glory vine - Eccremocarpus.
Flowers just about anywjhere and for most of the year and is much hardier than the books suggest.

Baggiebird1nil

brownfrog wrote: »

It can get very heavy, though, so maybe not a good choice for a dodgy wall, although the wires would spread the weight a bit. Might be safer to go for something like the Clematis armandii, which is lighter, with annuals like sweet peas or morning glory to provide cover until the clematis takes off.

However, the more important issue is the state of the wall. Baggiebird, you really should get that checked out first - I can understand your nervousness about flagging it up, but even if it's the road that's causing problems, you might be liable if it causes any damage to the cars (or drivers!). That's presuming thewall is actually yours? Were any questions raised about it when you bought the house? Did you have a survey done?

Yes we did have a survey done and they recommended that we replace the top half of the wall which we did in 1987. We get the deeds when the house is paid for in December so we'll delve a little deeper then!

Thanks to everyone for your replies and advice

pammyj74

alanobrien wrote: »

Chilean glory vine - Eccremocarpus.
Flowers just about anywjhere and for most of the year and is much hardier than the books suggest.

the cherry red one looks lovely. I will look out for this one.

I want to add a climber to a shady wall but i dont want to drill into the wall (mainly because I cant!!) so was wondering if I could stick some bamboo canes in the ground and tie garden string across them? would the plant get too heavy?

brownfrog

That probably wouldn't support more than really light ones like morning glory or sweet peas - maybe a light clematis. You could use heavier stakes and wire. Would definitely be better to drill, though. Maybe you could pay someone to do it for you?

pammyj74

so i could get some wood and steak it into the ground and get stronger wire/string.
or better still get some self clinging climbers?

brownfrog

Yes, or as you said, get some self-clingers: ivy, Virgina creeper, Hydrangea petiolaris. Mind you, they'll all need a bit of support till they start climbing.

daska

but when they start climbing, if the wall isn't in good condition they'll make it worse...

sobie

Just as important as the condition of the wall is the growing conditions. Is it sunny, shady, windy and whats the soil like? Then select a plant according to those conditions.
Also do you have much space to plant in front of the wall. Always plant at least a foot away from the wall. If the foundations are full of concreate (most are) then there will be high concentrations of lime in the soil. So you may need to test the soil pH as well.
What about fast growing evergreen shrubs instead? then it doesn't matter about the condition of the wall (quite as much!)
Sobie

pammyj74

the wall was rebuilt a couple of years ago and it is possible to plant a foot away. its mostly shady, only really gets the sun from about 3pm.
thank you for your comments and sorry to hijack the thread