New Climber - ideas please

jennyfleur

The huge clematis Montana I have had for many years scrambling up an eight foot fence, and over an archway for my back garden gate has finally kicked the bucket and needs to be replaced. The position is north facing. And it would sit alongside a climbing hydrangea - I’d be really grateful for suggestions and ideas - thank you! 

jennyfleur

Maybe a clematis alpina, then a rose for interest later on? 

Obelixx

HI Jennyfleur.  Are you Jennyflo of old by any chance?

There are many clematis that would be happy on a north facing fence or wall and many have longer but later flowering seasons than either montana or alpina.   I do love alpinas and macropetalas but they never survived the cold in my Belgian garden and I haven't seen any since we moved here a few years ago.  

If you want the smaller, more delicate flower forms have a look at macropetala Mountaindale - http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=2545 or I am Red Robin - http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=3222 tho neither will get as big as a montana.

As for roses, Mme Alfred Carrière is a good one for shade and so is Malvern Hills . 

jennyfleur

Yo!! @Obelixx !! Yep, it’s JFlo of old, so lovely to see you here, and thanks for the suggestions!! 

We had such larks, back in the day. I’ve neglected my garden of late, but have just been re-bitten by the gardening bug big style!! xxx

Obelixx

Good!   Still doing photography?

I'm the only one left here from the old "coven" but I'm in daily touch by email with a select few.

jennyfleur

@Obelixx - I’m still vaguely in touch with Beejay and Annelisie. 

And yes, still doing the photography. Here’s today’s shot of the plum blossom in the cold wet garden 🙂

Obelixx

Beautiful.  We have inherited plums and cherries and I have planted two pears and an apricot.  They'd normally be coming into flower now but we've had a cold wet winter here since the start of December and they're firmly keeping their buds closed.   Our neighbours' cherries and the wild cherries in the hedgerows are in fine flowering form tho.

jennyfleur

I can’t imagine being able to grow an apricot @Obelixx , how wonderful, but I do fancy a loganberry. There was an article in today’s Observer recommending fruit growing, including loganberries. I’m slightly peeved because I reckon the article will send prices sky high, and I’d already had the idea in my sights. 

Clematis too, seems mightily expensive. Reckon it’s the COVID gardening boom effect, coupled with the difficulty of socially distanced commercial propagation.  Still, great that people are appreciating their gardens, and realising their aesthetic, cultural  and therapeutic value in these strange times we find ourselves in. 

Obelixx

I only planted the apricot out last year so we have yet to see how it will do but it's supposed to be OK.   I have 2 small nectarines in the polytunnel, in flower now and there have been bees a-buzzing but I may go and flick a soft brush at them just in case.   

Compared to Belgium, plants are expensive here and the range of clematis is very limited.   Luckily, I brought loads of plants with me, including clematis and roses and hostas and some other favourites and I stocked up on seeds before Brexit happened in full.  Just need to get the soil prep right and the watering as it does get ridiculously hot and dry here sometimes - global warming - and clems and roses get thirsty.

We've managed to buy another ex farmhouse with a lot of land and are still getting to know the soil which is different in various parts of the plot.    Big learning curve.

There are some good clematis nurseries in the UK so at least you can shop around and compare prices and not just settle for what's in your local GC.