Climbing Plants that are not ivy?

[Mrs Magpie]

I like the disclaimer right at the bottom of the blackberry page......

Officers and Council Members of the Herb Society (UK) accept no liability for any harm, damage, or illness arising from the use of plants mentioned or described in articles that appear in this web site.

 

[lizzieloo]

I like the disclaimer right at the bottom of the blackberry page......

Officers and Council Members of the Herb Society (UK) accept no liability for any harm, damage, or illness arising from the use of plants mentioned or described in articles that appear in this web site.

or heart problems due to having to eat all the Strawberry and Lemon Verbena Cheesecake before anyone else sees it

 

[pogofish]

My neighbour just bought a greengage which can be trained along a wall.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

You can train just about anything along a wall, but it takes a bit of experience....I wouldn't recommend it for a complete novice unless they're really keen......

 

[SpookyFrank]

This thread should be called 'climbing plants that are not trees', followed by advice against such behaviour.

 

[Mr Retro]

Why not ivy? There are some really beautiful varieties, one of which I can give you loads of, gratis, free and for nothing. By the way, there are three pruning groups for clematis. Group One don't have to be pruned at all unless you think they're getting too big....one of which is in fact evergreen (Clematis balearica).

Thanks for all the replies! Looks like some really nice stiff is around.

Head office isn't too keen on ivy and we already have some so I was hoping for a bit of variety.

I might take you up on those cuttings in a few weeks MrsM, thanks for the offer. We are getting a friend to lay a patio and when it is finished and I cklear up the garden I'll get in touch. Can't wait for summer!!!

 

[polly]

Why not ivy? There are some really beautiful varieties, one of which I can give you loads of, gratis, free and for nothing. By the way, there are three pruning groups for clematis. Group One don't have to be pruned at all unless you think they're getting too big....one of which is in fact evergreen (Clematis balearica).

aye, and clematis armandii i think is evergreen too- and has nice white flowers that smell gorgeous.

i would advise you keep an eye on ivy though- i've spent a year purging my garden of it, and it's fecking tough. when we moved in it had strangled a huge laburnum tree in the garden to death but then the birds like it...

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Well, the laburnum was probably sickly and on its way out tbh. It's a myth that ivy kills trees....and yes, Clematis armandii is also evergreen......I think it's pruning group one and all.....will have to check.

 

[ats]

Common white jasmine (jasminum, I think) grows really well and really quickly in most of England as long as the soil is well drained and it gets plenty of water. It's really pretty with dark green leaves and small white flowers. It will climb if you put something for it to climb up, but it won't stick to walls.

Jasmine can put on a lot of growth so that it becomes really heavy. That's not a problem if growing it up a wall etc, but if your fence is really knackered you might want to think about whether it could take the weight.

Whatever climber you're thinking of getting, check how high it grows. If you get too big a variety for your space, you'll be constantly having to cut it back.

Personally, I like clematis. It isn't necessarily ugly in winter - clematis seed heads are often very decorative.

 

[polly]

Well, the laburnum was probably sickly and on its way out tbh. It's a myth that ivy kills trees....

really? that's interesting... but what if the ivy is left to get really really out of control?? it seemed to have smothered all other growth in the garden and the arboriculturalist that came to chop the tree down said that that was what killed it. if it is a myth i will be very sad because loads of late baby birds would have probably enjoyed hiding from my cat in all the ivy i've hacked down

 

[pogofish]

Mrs M.

The greengage was sold partially trained on a wood frame that would make it reasonably easy to establish. It was also one of the sweeter varieties. Don't think it was that dear either. Can get full details if anyone wants.

 

[butterfly child]

I was going to suggest passion flower but got beaten to it.

My neighbours have one, and as a result, so do we! I've trained it so it creeps along my railings, it's fab stuff.

 

[guinnessdrinker]

How about a honeysuckle? Not sure if they're evergreen though?

it's not evergreen, but the flowers smell lovely. it's good on a frame covering a path through a garden.

 

[guinnessdrinker]

What about Blackberry bushes.

Then you can have some goodies to eat too

they're not climbing plants.