What to plant by the fence (climber?)

Hi

my honeysuckle is definitely dead so I have some space there to plant other climbers

I would like to hear for advise, I can plant a big climber or a couple or three smaller ones to cover the fence

I’m in Milton Keynes, which would you recommend? I was thinking on wisteria, climbing roses or jasmine

thanks

 

Clematis armandii is evergreen with lovely fragrant flowers late winter early spring. It can be very vigorous but we do prune ours back every now and then.

 

Wisteria is a vigorous, very heavy climber that needs a solid support. I don't think a fence would be up to the job, especially as it's shoots would be forever trying to get through the slats. Whatever you do grow, get a decent support in place first. Strong wires stretched horizontally at 30cm or 40cm spacing will allow you to train climbing roses with their stems arched, which encourages flowering all along the stems. It would also allow you to fan out clematis stems so they cover the fence.

 

Akebia quinata is something different to grow ; quite hardy in most of the UK .
Akebia quinata - Google Search

 

Clematis is a good option too, thanks

@noisette47 that’s quite helpful, thanks. Do you have any website or tutorial where I can read more about how to place wires etc? Every time I have done that has not worked at all

@PaulB3 isnt it chocolate? Will it grow in the uk? I will read about it!

 

Here you go...3min29 in for a wooden fence. You'll need to find out where the posts are on the other side or.... I've found the traditional 45cm spacing to be stingy. 30cm is better

 

That’s useful, thanks.

I was always placing the wiring vertically (bottom to top) instead of horizontally (left to right) as I thought this is what will guide the branches to grow to the top, as if it was a hanging rope. It is totally wrong I guess and the wiring needs to go horizontally instead

 

Make sure it is your fence. I have had a couple of awkward neighbours in previous houses including this one who objected to me growing anything up their fence. Looked it up and they were entitled to do so as it was their fence.

 

That’s not a problem, there was a honeysuckle there before so I understand they are ok with that

thanks for the heads up!

 

If anyone is interested the free electronic version of the Daily Mail has an article on garden fence ownership.

 

I agree with @noisette47, wisterias are too heavy for fences. I have group 3 clematis, Etoile Violette and Kermesina on fences. They are easy as you cut them down to 8 to 12 inches in late winter and they grow up all over again. Climbing and rambling roses are lovely too, but you will have to prune them and feed them. I have honeysuckle as well but they too need pruning to keep them under control and all those plants mustn't dry out if there is a drought.

 

Which of the clematis are best for butterflies? All the info I can find is for bees.

 

I think butterflies like most of the clematis with the more single flowers. I've seen them on my Niobe.

 

Yes they need easy access don't they?

 

I think I will plant jasmine and climber roses. I will install a wire trellis, as mentioned by @noisette47, the only problem I see is that as the fence doesn’t belong to me, I can’t attach it to the horizontal posts as those are on the other side of the fence and there is a gap between the fence panels and the post.

I think I can attach it to the vertical posts but I don’t know if this is recommended.

what would the recommendation be to install a a wire trellis that side of the fence?

Thanks