Southport Visiter

The climb is right...

If you are staring at a wall ...a climber will brighten it up, and now is the time to plant them

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RIGHT now is a lovely time to plant in the garden. The soil is damp and the spade slices through it easily. The earth feels warm and welcoming for newcomers to settle in before winter arrives. And as all the froth and flowers of summer disappear, the framework of the garden is more visible so there is clarity on what needs to be done.

Climbers have a huge role to play in the garden. They fill places and fulfil jobs that other plants and shrubs can’t reach as they can stretch into the most awkward spots and survive in the darkest of areas if chosen and placed having to wait effectivel­y. years for any to

They can provide a wash of colour appear, because for the background of a border, green only mature up an unsightly wall, or scramble over wisterias will an unused garden building. blossom.

They will grow in all directions as Another long as they are supported well. wonderful climber

To camouflage a wall or an unsightly for good coverage is garden building, wisteria will move fast the Crimson glory to make good coverage, but its woody vine (Vitis coignetiae), branches must be well supported and whose large, hairy, deep-green leaves provided with sufficient space. change to a deep red in autumn. The

Prune it carefully to encourage climbing evergreen hydrangea, flowers and maintain its shape. It is Hydrangea petiolaris, has aerial stems worth buying an establishe­d specimen which help it climb walls and it’s and one that is in flower to avoid happy in shade. Clematis armandii is Climbers have a huge role to play in the garden. They fill places and fulfil jobs that other plants and shrubs can’t reach as they can stretch into the most awkward spots and survive in the darkest of areas... another evergreen with long strappy leaves and creamy flowers in spring.

Climbing plants with finer stems, curling tendrils and lighter foliage are more effective for trellises. Trachelosp­ermum jasminoide­s is an evergreen twining climber with small leaves and wonderfull­y scented white flowers in the summer. It will cover your trellis with a deep green colour and bring some delight to the garden.

Sollya heterophyl­la is often overlooked but is worth seeking out as its flowers are a joy. It is an evergreen with bright green foliage and the most gorgeous sky blue droopy bell-shaped flowers.

Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus,’ or golden hops, has almost luminous yellow leaves with beautifull­y cut edges that will magically cover a meshwork in one season. Its speed of growth and general vigour won’t suit smaller gardens, however. For a garden archway, one of the most striking climbers is Akebia quinata, or the chocolate vine. Although its stems are woody, they remain quite fine and bear extremely elegant leaves with five leaflets which will survive the winter in sheltered sites.

Tiny deep purple flowers with a vanilla scent hang from the plant in spring. The brown interweavi­ng woody stems make an attractive basket work on a garden frame.

Finally, there’s a rose for every situation – climbing, rambling or scrambling. For super vigour to race up a large tree, Paul’s Himalayan Musk has dainty pink flowers with a lovely fragrance, but in a smaller space I’m happy to recommend ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ for its scent and rich pink roses.

 ??  ?? Akebia Quintata
Hydrangea petiolaris
Akebia Quintata Hydrangea petiolaris
 ??  ?? Trachelosp­ermum jasminoide­s
Trachelosp­ermum jasminoide­s
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 ??  ?? Sollya heterophyl­la
Sollya heterophyl­la
 ??  ?? Hydrangea vines on an arbor
Hydrangea vines on an arbor
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