Some ideas for a vine/climber please!!!

14 years ago

Hi everyone,

I am in the south of the UK and vines/climbers are not my speciality to I am hoping for some ideas and advice. The picture shows my little alcove in which I tend to keep citrus/olives. You can see the remnants of an old climber that used to inhabit it. It is a real sun trap and has a small Star Jasmine on the left, though I am not imagining that is going to get too huge.

I had the idea of putting some struts/wires across the top and growing a vine, or climber of some sort, across the top. Aswell as hopefully looking nice, an evergreen one would provide a bit of frost protection in the winter. I had seen a grape vine at a local nursery doing similar, which looked gorgeous, but as they aren't evergeen I guess wouldn't serve the purpose.

I envisage the main plant would have to be planted behind the brick structure, which is a fairly shaded area aside from some late afternoon sun. Any ideas on what would work? Initial research threw up an Akebia quinata .... would that do it?

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Comments (5)

flora_uk
14 years ago
No picture - but be aware that your Trachelospermum jasminoides will get quite large - 10 - 12 feet easily in a sheltered spot. Try to post the picture again - that will help us make suggestions.
ourarka
Original Author
14 years ago
No idea why the picture didn't upload - here's hoping it has this time?!!
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flora_uk
14 years ago
The 'old climber' looks like a Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia. If it is actually dead it needs to be removed. But if the picture was taken in early spring it might just not have leafed out.

Given your information about shade I don't think it would be a good idea to plant anything behind the wall. In fact I think that the Trachelospermum could well cover the top if you put in wires without adding anything else. Otherwise have a look at RHS lists and choose something that seems appropriate. Try to see the plants growing/flowering before you buy. Akebia quinata is certainly a possibility.

BTW if you cover the top with a climber is will no longer be very suitable for your citrus/olives.

Here is a link that might be useful: Climbers
ourarka
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for that Flora - very good response. Just a couple of questions regarding your comments?

1) Do I definitely need to remove the dead stuff? I quite like the look of it and figured it would provide a slight framework for the Trachelospermum.

2) Why do you think cover would no longer make it suitable? If it is because of shade, I think the angle that the sun hits this would ensure it was still in the sun.

Maybe I'll hang on and see how the Trachelospermum does next year.
flora_uk
14 years ago
No you don't have to remove it if you like it. It's probably good for wildlife. But it will start to deteriorate and bits will drop off. No problem if you're happy to clear up. Also if you do go for another climber and it gets entwined in the old vine it will be difficult to tidy up bits which fall off or to prune the new vine.

You said it was a sun trap and I just imagined that if it had vines over the top it would put your olives and citrus in the shade. They both need full sun.