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Climber for front of house

Hi, the front of our house is south facing, and we would like to train a climber up it. There is only one window, and a lot of bare stone to cover. We were thinking wisteria, but we will have to plant in a container (oil-drum sized), and I don’t think wisteria is keen on that? We could use two containers, so it may be nice to have different plants that would look good together. Can anyone suggest some plants that would suit this situation? We are thinking wisteria, roses, clematis, Passion flower, honeysuckle... Thanks in advance

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  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Anything in a container will have to be watered, so you're making an on-going job for yourself! Is there no way you can make a planting hole? I did, many years ago, through the concrete that ran right up to my house wall. Clematis and Virginia Creeper grew very successfully, though I note that it's now an offence to allow Virginia Creeper to escape into the wild! I think I also had Honeysuckle. And some low growing ivies.
  • Thank you. Unfortunately, we are definitely limited to containers, but going as large as we can! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,134
    edited March 2019
    Yes- make it huge. You'll then have  more scope for the plant choice, and they're more likely to thrive too.  Make sure it has adequate drainage, and don't use compost alone - a mix of soil, well rotted manure and compost will give a good long term medium for any climber. Also, add a mulch after planting to help preserve moisture, as the house walls will tend to keep any rainwater away from the container.
    You can also add an upturned plastic bottle,  or similar, with the bottom cut off, when you plant [lid off too obviously  ;) ] so that you can get water further down to the plant roots. That's particularly beneficial for most clematis, depending on the type, and probably roses too.

    I wouldn't plant honeysuckle though. Wrong conditions and aspect for it.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Fantastic, thank you. I think we have decided on a rambling rose, and will definitely follow your advice on the growing medium.
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