Help me choose a clematis (or two or three!) for bright shade!
Our new home is on a narrow lot and is situated especially close to our neighbors to the north. They are lovely people, but we would like some privacy when we are sitting on our swing! Unfortunately, we have no more than 6' of side yard on that side of the house, 3' of which is taken up by a sidewalk, so a privacy hedge is really out of the question. Right now there is a forsythia growing beside the porch, but it is totally inappropriate for the space - despite the former owners pruning it within an inch of its life, it has bushed out and is encroaching on the already-narrow walk.
Anyway, we've decided that we would like to replace the forsythia with a trellis that will span most of the area, and grow a clematis or two on it. This is the north side of the house, so it receives very little direct sun, but it's not really deep shade either. Here's a picture of the area:
I took measurements this morning and the distance from the ground to the ceiling of the porch is 11' - we don't need the trellis to come up all the way to the ceiling, but I think we'll want it to be a solid 9-10' tall. The porch is 7' deep from post to post, so we'd be looking at 6-7' in width as well. I assume this would give me space for at least 2 clematis, maybe 3 if they are smaller varieties? I think I'd prefer Group 1 or 2 pruning types, to keep the trellis somewhat covered year-round.
So, what are your favorite Group 1 or 2 varieties or combinations for shade? I prefer purples and pinks, and the deeper, more saturated colors to pastels, but a lot of the commonly recommended types for shade seem to be white/pastel, especially in Groups 1 and 2. Hit me with your best, and thanks in advance!
Comments (12)
- 9 years ago
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9 years ago- 9 years ago
9 years agobiondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) thanked cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)- 9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
For privacy I think that the lattice suggestion is better than just a vine. Though Betty Corning covers the end of my deck which is ten feet wide it takes awhile to get to that growth and dies back at the end of fall. I like BC as it also has almost continuous bloom starting midsummer. Some people detect a faint aroma on their plants though I do not on mine.
July 2016 BC in part shade--looks more impressive in real life.
Two or three other less vigorous clematis also could like nice.
These grow on one section of the 25' length of my deck.
Hagley grows well on my north facing wall which is bright shade.
- 9 years ago
9 years ago- 9 years ago
NHBabs z4b-5a NH