What CLIMBER can I grow in these pots?

Hi all

I am new here so please forgive any mistakes.

As you can see from my photo I have a Brick Shed that is sat on a concrete base. I would love to have something/anything climb up the shed. It would be even better if this climber had a bit of colour. The only problem is, whatever I plant needs to be in a pot because of the concrete base. If the Black pots shown are not deep enough I could always make a wooden planter that is two or three times higher than the black pots.
Any ideas folks?
Thanks in advance.

 

Hello @Frank Sebem and welcome! Does your shed wall get sun for most of the day and are you looking for something just for this year’s growing season or more long term?

 

Hi Friend

I’d say that the wall gets at least 4 hours per day. I’m looking for something VERY LOW maintenance and to return every year if possible.
Thank you

 

Plants in containers need more attention than those in the ground so I’m sorry to say that very low maintenance is not really possible as they will be relying on you for watering, feeding and topping up or renewing the compost each year. Have you thought about cladding the wall with something like cedar panels or similar? You could then attach a couple of large planters at different heights on the wall and put something easy in them like Pelargoniums which will need to be replaced each year and trailing small leaved ivies, which will last longer.

 

Hello @Frank Sebem and welcome. May I ask roughly where you are in the country and would you prepared to regularly water any plants in pots? You mentioned very low maintenance!!!

I rather like your brick shed so I'm thinking an evergreen winter flowering clematis in a very large pot would fit that space - the variety 'Freckles' has a reddish hue inside the petals which would match the brick. It might not suit though if you are in the north of Scotland. You would also have to fix some vine eyes and wire to tie the clematis initially but it's relatively vigorous and easy maintenance.

 

I agree with what's already been said, plants in pots and low maintenance don't go together.
Also if you want something to cover that wall the pots you've got are too small, you really need bigger pots.
I actually like the wall though and think it looks quite nice as it is. Maybe one shrub in an attractive terracotta pot to match the wall would look good ... like 'less is more' sort of thing.

 

You've inadvertently already answered your own question really. Something to cover that brick wall which is low maintenance?

How about more fake ivy like you have on the wall at the other side of the door!

If you like that sort of stuff you can't get much lower maintenance.

 

It would be better to have one giant pot placed in the centre of the space rather than five small ones. The plant could then grow up and outwards, though you may need to add some trellis or wires for it to cling to. One large pot would allow room for roots and need less (although still regular) watering. I would avoid black pots as this colour absorbs the sun's heat making the roots hot. Roots like to be cool.

It looks a lovely space for a climber, so I think the idea could be a great success.

 

Real ivy would be relatively trouble free and have the added advantage of providing habitat.

 

The only answer is a purpose built raised bed, to ensure any climber would be happy long term, but anything in a container needs more attention than in the ground.
Plenty of things would work - including shrubs which naturally have a more spreading habit, but more info would be needed as to general location and climate, to ensure you had something suitable.
Is the 4 hours of sun during summer conditions? If so, anything which also like a bit of shade will be fine. Some of the alpina clematis types would be fine, and they need very little attention. They don't need rich soil, or lots of water, and once established will spread and cover that no problem.
You would need a support for it though - wires and vine eyes, or trellis etc.

 

There are lots of plants that do well in pots but in my experience climbers are the most difficult. Sorry!
As others have said low maintenance doesn’t really go with growing in containers. The bigger the pot the better but be prepared to water and feed etc.

 

How about one of those wall fountain efforts?

 

An annual climber like Thunbergia in a large pot with trellis or other supports on the wall would give you a quick colourful display which will last until the first frosts. If you don’t mind looking at your bare wall over winter (which I also think is attractive!), you could try different annual climbers each year. They will require regular watering and feeding but will be easier to get an impressive effect than a shrub or perennial climber in a container.

 

Other options could be an outdoor clock, garden wall art or a decorative rusted steel panel or figure, plus some outside lighting to illuminate the path/access/parking area.

 

I agree with @Plantminded on trying an annual of sorts. Last year was quite impressed with a climbing sweet potato vine (Ipomoea) that kept going on two obelisks in pots. The cultivar was Solar Tower and in my two photos you can see what it looked like in July and in mid November. Would plant it again in a heartbeat. But would require larger pots to have enough food and moisture