Climbers to cover unsightly patio doors

1940sGal

As the title suggests really. We've got these god awful patio doors on and a very unsightly piece of wood above which I want covered up.

The thing is we have slabs with a small row of pebbles right up to the doors, so planting directly in to the ground isn't really an option (unless it's possible to lift a couple of slabs, which could end up looking a mess). Are there any good climbers that will grow high and across while still only in a pot? I'm open to any suggestions, initially I fancied Wisteria but I've seen others I like the look of so just looking for some advice really.

lostinrates

You can grow lots in a pot, but most things will prefer the ground. I would lift the slabs.

1940sGal

lostinrates wrote: »

You can grow lots in a pot, but most things will prefer the ground. I would lift the slabs.

Hmm that's what I wondered. If I do end up lifting the slabs I'll try and cover the uneven-ness of it with other pots.

Itismehonest

We have very old cobbles around our place so can't plant into the ground in those areas. We also wouldn't want to allow water in right next to the old walls. However, we have virginia creeper, summer & winter jasmine all in large wooden troughs which "climb" the walls on wires.
If your house has the right aspect then it's relatively simple to achieve.

1940sGal

Well the house was built in the 20s and the garden is south facing. I'm not sure there would be a problem with water next to the walls.

sobie

You can grow any plants in pots, its just a mater of how often you wish to repot or replace.

Most plants will also respond to root pruning (but only do this if you are experienced with root pruning else you might chop the wrong roots off).

I've had a wisteria sucessfully growing in relatively small pots (about 100ltrs) for about 10 years. The plants are not as big as they would be planted in the ground. I do replace lots of the soil (with John Innes no 3) every spring. And lots & lots of feeding!

If you do plump for wisteria, remember they might not flower for many years if they have been grown from seed - look out for the graft near the bottom of the plant - or buy one thats in flower that way you know it will flower. Remember you'll need to prune a wisteria twice a year to promote best flowering

how big did you want the plant to get? Are you good at pruning?

How about going for a patio climbing rose, they'll only go to about 10ft maximum and do not require any pruning. They've been specially developed to grow in pots, some are thorn free (if your worried about catching yourself in a doorway). Plant in John Innes no3 and get a liquid rose food with added magnesium.

Did you want something evergreen? if so Trachelospermum Jasminoides (or False Jasmine) is an absolutely stunnging plant. Variegated versions are available too. On a sunny patio it will thrive and the scent wafting into your patio doors will be fantastic.

Or what about Clematis - there are many patio varieties. Just provide some shade at the roots (putting some matching cobbles on the top of the pot will be sufficient). You can have really narrow pots for Clematis - they just need to be deep as their roots go down quite far at least 18" deep. I've two called The President in large pots, its a really rich blue and they have the bonus of flowering at least twice a year. I've also got Clematis Madame Julia Correvon which is a wine red colour, its a really small variety it only gets to about 6foot tall. A little trick is to buy matching colour pots to grow them in.

blossomhill_2

Winter clematis and winter jasmine twined together should provide cover in all seasons and give winter interest

Conrad

I've grown all sorts of climbers and I think the biggest lesson for me has been that some climbers get very scruffy and need a lot of maintenance.

Do want a self clinger that will stick - its suckers / roots into the walls, or would you prefer something that requires a climbing lattice / wires?

I have some things such as climbing hydrangea and Ivy that use the walls and personally I like the look of them, the fact they're evergreen (the ivy) and relativly tidy. Ivy can be an issue on unsound walls or where it may get under roof tiles and so on.

Passion flower is quite well behaved and v pretty on a warm wall.

Some clematis would be useful but I do find some to have a lot of scruffy growth.

Virgina creeper / boston ivy is neat looking in summer but for me a right old scruff bag in winter.


Ivy is often overlooked but for me a great choice - yr round leaf, great for the birds and wildlife, and some forms like the large leaved yellow ones are reasonably neat and easy to trim. It can take a while to get going.



'Sulphur Heart'.

1940sGal

Conrad wrote: »

Do want a self clinger that will stick - its suckers / roots into the walls, or would you prefer something that requires a climbing lattice / wires?

Ideally I'd prefer a self clinging one, though I'm not sure they'd be able to cling to the wood over the doors.

I love hydrangea's, though I also like Ivy as it provides good shelter for birds.

To be honest, I might go for Ivy now I think about it. I've already got some growing at the bottom of a wall that is attached to the house next to the doors, though it doesn't seem to be growing much at all.