Forum home› Plants

Hardy Climbers

aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 171
in Plants
Hi all,

I am desperate to grow some form of climber to cover as much of the exterior of my house as possible - does anyone have any suggestions based on the following:

1. The plant will need to be potted as I do not have any exposed earth near to the house itself, only a brick paving - how large will the pot need to be?
2. I live on the side of a hill above a salt water Loch in a very exposed area: we are prone to extremely high winds and have a lot of rainfall (Scottish Highlands) and obviously the salt water from the Loch to contend with.
3. The wall itself is south facing.

I’m really hoping to find something that will cover well! Any suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you :)
Aidan.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,119
    I'd have thought something like Virginia Creeper would fit the bill, tho it's deciduous so not good for the winter months, or else one of the ivies which come in different evergreen leaf sizes and range from plain green to variegations in gold and cream.    The main problem is having to be in a pot.  If you want to cover a whole façade you really do need to provide plenty of protection to the roots from both excess cold and excess heat as well as good depth because it takes a lot of root to support a healthy plant that will cover a building.

    Can you lift some of the bricks to make a decent planting hole?   As it will be near a wall you'll need to prepare a deep hole with lots of compost to sustain a good root system.

    Is it to support itself by clinging to the wall or can you provide a trellis or tensioned wire system?  How good are you up a ladder because any self clinging climber that can cover a façade is going to head into the teeniest gaps round window frames, under gutters, under roof tiles and into the attic.............

    Given support structures, there are roses such as Kiftsgate and Rambling Rector and Wedding Day that can grow to 10m or more and can be tied in to spread across the façade - lovely creamy white flowers in June then red rose hips for you and the birds to enjoy later on.  I had a very fine Kiftsgate in my last garden on a south facing wall but planted in the ground and hardy to -20C.   Got unhappy when it was colder.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • dsingh95dsingh95 Posts: 21
    Hi there, did you find anything? Just asking as I am in the same situation as you! Would be helpful to hear what you decided with! Thanks x 
  • aidanhoadaidanhoad Posts: 171
    Hi dsingh95,

    I’m afraid I’ve really had no luck... sorry it’s not the answer you’re looking for!

    Best of luck and if you do find anything, please let me know! Likewise if I do I’ll post on here!

    Aidan :)
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,052
    Hi @aidanhoad - which loch are you near [you don't have to be too specific!] and what height are you at? The biggest issues will be the wind and rain, and therefore tieing something in if it's not self clinging,  but it's posssible to have something suitable.
    I think you'll need to look at either clearing a space to plant into the ground though. A container will have to be purpose built if you can't do that, as it would need to be really big.
    Something bath sized is what you're looking at for a climber like V. creeper or Boston ivy for instance.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sign In or Register to comment.