Climber in a narrow space

Kai_63

We have a narrow space at the back of our patio (30cm wide). It adjoins a brick wall which we have attached large trellies to. The plan was to grow the climbers so they eventually cover the trellis wall area but I'm concerned that the space isn't wide enough now I've looked into it. Would it be better to grow the climbers in smaller pots near the wall instead? I'd prefer not to as the patio area isn't that big. Any suggestions for evergreen and seasonal climbers that could quickly cover a 5m wide trellis would be very welcome (alkaline, fairly sandy soil in an area that gets partial sunlight, east facing). Thanks

Gardenmaiden

How about jasmine? Grows fast, lovely scented flowers on the evening breeze.

or

Solanum, the potato vine. My brother in law gave me one he didn't want, it was a twig. Now it covers nearly 3 fence panels wide and 9 feet in height.

You could have both and a honeysuckle and passionflower too and just let them mix like I have. I also have a climbing hydrangea in the mix along with a climbing rose Arthur Bell.

Kai_63

Thank you, some lovely suggestions.



Do you think they will be OK to grow in such a narrow space, essentially a foot wide all the way along?

Ceres

You could try one of the cotoneasters which will give you white flowers and red berries on an evergreen shrub. I have one rambling along a fence and keep it trimmed so that it isn't more than a few inches deep. Unfortunately I can't tell you the variety as it arrived by itself but it does resemble cotoneaster lacteus.

Tootles

Jasmine would be a great plant. So pretty. I've got a winter / early spring flowering one and it's the first thing in the garden to flower after the gloom of late winter. It grew quite slowly in the first year, and then it just settled and has grown really well. I pinned it to a brick wall today. Looks lovely.

Gardenmaiden

Mine are growing in a space that wide all the way along and the ground has membrane and is topped with gravel.

Kai_63

Thank you, do you find it needs extra maintenance? Anything I need to know to help it grow better due to the lack of space etc?

Gardenmaiden

The only thing I do is give it all a haircut when it gets wider that a foot or bits hang over where you walk next to it. It makes it produce more stems so should cover quickly.

hogweed

You may find once you dig down that much of your 30cm will be taken up under the ground level by the foundations of the wall and/or patio. In which case you may not have enough root run to grow anything that big to cover your 5m of trellis. Have a poke and see first.

Kai_63

Thanks for the tip. I don't mind planting a series of smaller plants across the 5m rather than one larger plant, nice to have a bit of variety, but yes, will check!