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Covering railing

jdp1810jdp1810 Posts: 23
in Plants
We have a length of approx 5m x 18” high railing in our garden. Any suggestions of what I can grow to cover it, looking for a climber/rambler.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,303
    edited September 2019
    Hi @jdp1810 - 18 inches in height makes it more difficult, because you'll have to do a lot of tying in to keep it to that height. Most climbers will naturally want to grow up, so you'd have to be vigilant.
    Having said that, there will be plenty that will be viable. Can  you give some more details about the soil, aspect etc, and what else is round it?
    A photo would be very helpful  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jdp1810jdp1810 Posts: 23
    Hi, I can’t be a great help on the soil, it was top soil that was brought in. We live in Cornwall and the garden faces south west. Hope the photo is some help, thanks for any suggestions.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,565
    Does the railing have to be there at all?

    I think it would look nicer without it.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,303
    That looks very pretty. With the aspect you have, I'd go for a clematis. A Group 1,which needs little to no pruning. Not a montana, which would be too vigorous, but something like an alpina or koreana. They will provide a framework all year round, with flowers in late winter/spring, and often have a second flush later [around this time of year]
    You could also stick a few annuals in there for the months that the clematis would be finished.

    If you take a look at Taylors, Thorncroft or Hawthornes clematis sites, you'll find a great selection, and in every colour  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jdp1810jdp1810 Posts: 23
    The railing is a boundary between our garden and neighbours driveway. This is a side view from the front it is open plan.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 7,434
    ..reconsider, is what I would suggest... leave it be.. it looks really nice as it is, and in this case, less is more I would say... all your plantings have a rounded or spiky outline.. a Mediterranean style of garden... the last thing it wants is some straggly rambling concoction running riot along those railings and onto your neighbours driveway...  I wouldn't like that if I lived there...
    East Anglia, England
  • B3B3 Posts: 24,478
    I would agree that it would look better without any railings at all. The wall makes your boundary clear enough and their gravel is similar to yours so you have a borrowed view of sorts.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 8,173
    I agree that a trailing/rambling plant wouldn't blend with the rest of the planting. If you need to keep the railings, maybe painting them a different colour (something less bright and shiny) would help to blend them in.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • PennypitstopPennypitstop Posts: 29
    If it is your fence, then maybe a couple of small troughs hanging on the railing with geraniums in during the summer months, a splash of bright red or hot pink perhaps. Then in spring some small spring bulb flowers. During the summer a morning glory might not be too invasive and is not permanent but looks lovely in summer. :)
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