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Fast
growers for quick cover
- Clematis
Montana is the fastest growing of all the clematis and also one
of the easiest to grow. In perfect conditions it can grow
to a height of 12m (40ft). If it is cut back by about one
third after the first flowering this will encourage vigorous growth.
Montana prefers alkaline soil and the roots and main stem need
protecting from direct sunlight.
- Virginia
creeper is a hardy climber with warm red foliage in Autumn.
Ideally should be given a horizontal support.
- Honeysuckle
comes is several varieties which are vigorous and hardy, with
strongly scented flowers ranging in colour from pale creamy white
to bright orange red. They prefer a lightly shaded spot, well
drained soil and plenty of compost.
- Russian
Vine is probably the fastest wall cover of all, but can easily
get out of hand as it can grow 5m (16ft) in one season.
- Akebia
quinata is a creeper with fragrant, deep purple flowers which
will happily creep up any support on a warm, sheltered wall.
It quickly reaches a height of 4.5m (15ft) with a spread of 1.8m
(6ft) and could eventually grow as big as 6-9m (20-30ft).
Annual
creepers
For
a splash of colour during Summer, here are a few suggestions:-
- Sweet
Peas are a beautiful, perfumed, dainty climber, available in a
huge range of colours. They also have the added bonus that if
the blooms are picked for indoors this encourages more flowers
to appear on the plant. They are easily grown from seed
outside, reach a height of approximately 1.8m (6ft) but do need
support.
- Nasturtiums
do come in climbing varieties, available in yellows, reds and
oranges and are ideal to cover a hedge or left to scramble over
banks etc. They can be grown from seed outside and will spread
about 1.8m (6ft)
- Black-eyed
Susan is suitable for milder regions and has light orange flowers
with deep brown centres. It can be grown from seed germinated
indoors, needs a sunny sheltered spot or greenhouse and will grow
to about 1.8m-3m (6-10ft) in a season.
- Morning
glory again is most suitable for mild areas. Available in blues,
rich scarlets and purples, easily grown from seed germinated indoors
and will grow to about 2.5-3m (8-10ft) high in a season.
Plants
suitable to hide a wall
If
you need to disguise a wall or would rather look at a plant than
bricks, here are addtional suggestions.
Firstly,
decide which way the wallis facing as this is important to know
when selecting the most suitable plant.
- North
facing walls - the ground in front of a north facing wall will
suffer from dampness and lack of sunshine. Some suitable
varieties could be Clematis hybrids, climbing Hydrangea, Ivy,
winter Jasmine or Roses (e.g. 'Gloire de Dijon', 'Mme Alfred Carrière'
and 'Mme Grégoire Staechelin').
- South
facing walls - as these get plenty of warmth and sunshine dry
soil could be a problem. Try Honeysuckle, Passion Flower or annual
climbers mentioned above, such as Nasturtium and Morning Glory
or Ceanothus, Mexican Orange or Myrtle which are more tender plants.
- East
facing walls lack sunshine and sometimes suffer from cold winds.
Flowering Quince and Forsythia should be suitable and most Roses
would also be suitable.
- West
facing walls are probably the best site of all and therefore decorative
shrubs and climbers such as Magnolias, Camellias, Wisteria, Honeysuckle
or Clematis Montana will be ideal.
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