Forum home› Plants

What climber is good to cover large south facing fence?

julielreynoldsjulielreynolds Posts: 2
in Plants
Hi, we have a 2m x 9m fence at the end of our garden that looks so bare. It faces south and joins a raised patio. So I’m looking for something attractive and evergreen that could grow in a planter and quickly spread along about 4-5m.
Thanks loads for your suggestions.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,027
    Hi @julielreynolds - it's always difficult to grow climbers in containers, unless the pots are huge. Even ivy will struggle a bit.
    There are some clematis which are evergreen, and there's a jasmine, but it will also depend whereabouts you are, as some of those aren't hardy everywhere. 
    You'll need to use a few to cover that length of fence too, if they're in pots, because pots restrict the growth. It migthbe worth taking a look at some of the specialist clematis growers' sites - Taylors, Thorncroft and Hawthornes. You can find lots of info on there about the different types. You'll need some supports on your fence for them too   
    If you were able to build a raised bed of some kind along the length of your patio, that would give you more scope,and make it easier to maintain the plants.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,046
    Welcome to the Forum. Expecting anything in a container to spread, quickly or otherwise to cover that sort of area is " a big ask".
    I'd suggest more planters evenly spaced and more plants.
    Devon.
  • julielreynoldsjulielreynolds Posts: 2
    Thanks. I have got the option of planning in ground in middle of fence but that will be right next and under an apple tree?!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,103
    Too much competition for water and nutrients.  If you can't plant in the soil at either end then a deep trough or several large matching pots will be needed.   You will have to supply supports for training the climbers and very good compost and regular watering (daily in hot spells) and feeding every spring and thru the growing season.

    What kind of fence is it?   You may be better off painting it with some kind of design and planting at the other side of the terrace and training plants up and over a pergola of some sort if you want extra colour and perfume.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,699
    If you live somewhere mild and temperatures only dip into minus every now and then, Solanum Laxum ‘Album’ should smother that space. Even under an apple tree in the ground, provided you prepare the ground first, they should also do fine. 

    Growing in a container, it needs to be at least 50cm in height and depth. 

    Other evergreen climbers can take take a while to cover that space. 
Sign In or Register to comment.