Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Dizzy new heights
of Clematis Nelly Moser
Other popular places to grow climbers are arbours, arches or pergolas, where plants can trail, twine and climb over.
Clematis is a really vigorous grower that will climb almost any garden structure. There are many stunning varieties to choose from and you can plant them any time up until the mid-autumn.
Its roots like to be cool and moist, so plant the base of a clematis in light shade or surround with ground cover plants or a dressing of pebbles or mulch. The white, pink and purple
flowers of ‘Nelly Moser’, the pale pink flowers of ‘Bees Jubilee’ and violet-purple blooms of ‘The President’ are three marvellous options to choose from.
They never fail to produce and perform brilliantly in the garden, growing up pergolas.
Wisteria, with its beautiful racemes of blooms, also suits pergolas. These grow well on the sides of houses too and will be with you for decades, providing real character.
Just be sure to plant them in welldrained soil in a sunny spot.
Pergolas are a great way of positioning a relaxing seating area or a hidden nook to escape – and what better to keep you company than some delightful fragrances? Jasminum x stephanense is a strong-growing deciduous choice that has small, fragrant, pale-pink flowers that can be enjoyed in summer.
Trachelospermum jasminoides (star jasmine) is an evergreen, providing colour all year round with its deep glossy foliage. The white, star-shaped flowers that bloom in summer will also complement any space with their sweet-smelling scent.
The evergreen nature of many climbers means they can cover walls and fences all year round, with the added bonus of helping burglar-proof your home.
If you’ve got areas at the bottom of the garden or the side of your home where you may prefer to have a plant that’s quite impenetrable, rambling roses certainly fit the bill.
‘Albertine’ is a thorny variety with fragrant double flowers and a salmonpink colouring. It’d be like getting through the castle to Sleeping Beauty.
Another great one for the front of the house is Pyracantha, known as firethorn for its red, orange or yellow berries that fruit in autumn and winter.
Asian firethorn has orange-red berries that follow clusters of white flowers blooming in spring, and the spiny branches make them great to grow underneath windows, so burglars won’t be too keen to get past them.
Whether you’re looking to achieve that classic cottage look, secure some screening or protect your home, there’s a colourful climber with fantastic fragrance to add to your garden.
If you want to get growing but are short on space, check out the Halls Wall Garden Lean-to. Made of toughened glass on a robust aluminium frame, it’s perfect for patios, garages and garden walls. The lean-to must sit on a concrete base or brick plinth, but it has a sliding door for access and a roof vent for hot days. It also comes with a 10-year warranty. Prices start from £279. See greenhousestores.co.uk
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