Climbers in Planters?

mardatha

I've got a big back garden for veg SS, this is a space round the front, a west facing fence I think would be nice covered in scented blossom. (well I can hope lol)

safestored4

On my West facing garden fence I grow four different hybred berries which flower nicely in May-June (during when they really attract the bees) and then provide something to eat in July-August.

gpc273

You can grow a clematis in a pot, I've done so for years as the ground where I want it is a north facing solid path.
Just remember that you will have to totally refresh the soil every year and really chop the roots back, hard!

mardatha

Ok lots of ideas here - thanks everybody. Just need the damn snow to melt and then I can get started

twiglet98

sobie wrote: »

they will but not for long. Small plants will need repotting within a year.

Ideally you want a pot at least 50cm deep for climbing plants as their roots do go quite deep.

I hate those wooden things with trellis on the back - totally unsuitable for climbing plants.

I've just been outside measuring my oil tank as I thought I would spend my Garden Centre gift vouchers on some of these planters with trellis! Will rethink - the tank is freestanding on the patio so containers are the only option.

Last year I got a few huge oak half-barrels. One is just collecting rainwater, the other one I half-filled with plastic sacks, then topped up with multipurpose compost and planted a mass of dwarf bulbs and lavender. Just noticed it actually has water up to the top of the barrel, the compost and (now dead) lavender are floating in it... I forgot to drill any drainage holes. Expensive mistake - remember to check any container has adequate drainage!

Back to the drawing board re the oil tank, I'd like something scented too, or maybe annual climbers like nasturtium would work in shallow troughs?

Not that the weather forecast for the weekend is very gardener-friendly, even this far south.

Keep warm Mardatha, spring doesn't look like arriving anytime soon.

pledgeX

I'm in the same position as I would like to try and cover the side of my shed which is quite unsightly. I think I'd like some climbing roses, but am unsure whether they will be able to grow large enough to cover the entire shed. After a quick google I've found a few troughs that are 40cmx40cmx100cm. Will climbing roses (or any other climbing plants for that matter) grow large enough in this sort of size trough?

I could always get a couple and put them end to end, but that doesn't really solve the problem of enough space for the roots.

Del_Astra

For those looking for large planters, find a good joiner, tell him/her your requirements, and ask how much to make. In myu experience it will last longer, and look better, and work out cheaper. Discuss re-using decking etc, you will be surprised what people chuck out, check on ebay / gumtree and the like.

splodger_seedswapper

drill some holes in the oak barrels (once you've emptied them of the water etc) plant your climbers in those. i have clematis growing in an old wine barrel - two varieties been happy as larry in that for over 6 years - they are deep enough, keep moist and cool (for the roots) and don't need much in the way of top-dressing.
i don't have mine growing up trellis or anything though - i just bundled up some birch tops to form a sort of obelisk - they grow up that happily enough to start with - as it supports the lower stems - then they trail along a fence / shed wall - once they get tall enough.

cyclonebri1

The recommendation always seems that clematis need to have their roots kept cool and well watered for best results??, ie put a paver or similar around the plant, not sure how that works re clematis in troughs as the problem with troughs is usually overheating and drying out.

I pose it as a suggestion and a question as all my clematis are grown up/around fruit trees so I've never tried them in any form of container.