Climbers for Scottish climate
really hoping someone can advise please. Just replaced a row of mile a minute conifers with trellising and need advice on what to plant. Ideally would like year round colour! south facing and full sun but being Scotland rather exposed to winds and cold.....any help very much appreciated. Thank you.
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Hi Mhairi 2
whereabouts are your? I am in south Lanarkshire, right down at the tip of east Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway and to add to the problems in a frost pocket!
i have found my wall, in your position, has sparkled with an actinidia, took a couple of years to establish but now rewards with fabulous Spring colour.
failing that what about a rose and an ivy, watch the ivy tho as it will try to take over
a catoneaster is always a safe bet
there are of course the fruit trees you could espallier
A A Milne
As your in Scotland what about the Scottish Flame Flower, Tropaelum speciosum? It is actually a native of Chile, but flourishes in the Scottish climate. It is a relative of nastursiums and dies down each winter, best grown from seed.
Similar situation in Ayrshire. I have various clematis and honeysuckle Dropmore Scarlet does exceptionally well. I also grow pyracantha, although it doesn't climb, you get the flowers and the berries.
thank you for your ideas we're in Kinross-shire - weather mixed - east coast harr on a bad day, rains here when to the north, south, west and east of us it is glorious sunshine - today is glorious but as usual a wind blowing! I've never tried an actinidia, am I right in thinking it is a kiwi? sounds interesting and unusual wonder if it will survive but nothing ventured ..... .
Has anyone tried an evergreen clematis? or is that a stupid idea for Scotland?
Hi Mhairi- I'm a bit further south and I grow lots clematis with no problem, but I've always steered clear of the evergreen ones as I don't think they'd cope with wet cold winters. You're probably a bit drier but I don't know how well they'd do with the cold winds. If you can provide a bit of shelter from the worst of the weather it might be ok. Tying in the clematis as they grow is the most important thing and choosing your specimens to suit the space and aspect.
Honeysuckle will grow well up here but I think it would be too sunny a site for it. They like a shady base as they're woodland plants. Roses will certainly thrive.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My friend had the winter flowering, evergreen one. It did ok for a couple of years, apart from taking over, but a hard winter finished it off. We struggle against the elements!!