Shady climbers for year round interest

I have a small garden surrounded by houses all sides and my neighbours
have just erected a fence resembling the Berlin Wall on one side. I'd
like to grow something up it which has year round interest. Few things
to consider:

* the fence is 2.5m high, 5m wide so nothing too vigorous and
swamping!
* it's almost always in shade and is north facing, maybe an hour or
two of dappled sun max
* would prefer light and bright colours to stand out (everything seems
to be pale or white for shade - bit of colour would be good)
* would prefer something evergreen to add interest in winter if
possible
* would love fragrence but being greedy now!!!

I was considering a mixture of rose/clematis/climbing hydrangea/other
vines - can anyone advise if the following are the way to go:

Rosa Madame Alfred Carriere or New Dawn
Rosa Zephirine Drouhin
Clematis 'Dawn'/ 'Guernsey Cream� / 'Elsa Spath'

Any other suggestions gratefully received. Thanks

 

You seem to have a good list of ideas there already. As an alternative, what about a variegated ivy as a base, this would give you the evergreen content, and being variegated would be lighter; you could then 'run' a couple of flowering climbers through it..ie Clematis Armandi ..and for perfume perhaps a Jasmine or a Honeysuckle.

I'm sure there will be lots of other ideas forthcoming... hth

 

Hi Lauraloo welcome to the forum.

You seem to know what you want and I agree with Mona Lisa a variegated yelloe edge ivy would look stunning anytime of the year!

As for the plants you have mentioned I'm sure someone in the know with pop along pretty soon to answer your questions. Hel.xxx.

 

Hi Lauraloo,

I can definitely recommend Mme Alfred Carriere for shade - it's a fantastic rose and very healthy.

I know it's not a climber, but you might consider putting in a pyracantha close to the fence - I've found them useful in shade, you can keep them well trimmed flat against a fence. Good evergreen cover and lovely bright berries. I have a red-berried one with Winter-flowering jasmine growing next to it & through it, the pale yellow flowers look lovely with the berries.

Also, pyracantha make good "climbing frames" for clematis. As well as the ones you mention, "Wada's Primrose" does well in shade.

Good luck!

 

I like your ideas I thought I would share my previous garden with you. This is the north facing border, it wasn't very big but I like cramming things in! [/img]
On the fence is Alberic Barbier, Dublin Bay and a montana clematis whose name I cannot remember. The shrubs are a varigated fuschia, a spirea, a geranium and a Physocarpus Diablo. The garden was in Derbyshire so everything was quite hardy.

 

I love your border Celia - it looks to be overflowing!

Fuchsia - there's an idea - I think Thomson & Morgan were featuring a new climbing fuchsia in their catalogue this year. That might do quite well in shade...?

Another shrub which might be happy here (esp. if there is fairly moist soil) is hydrangea villosa - gorgeous amethyst flowers and furry leaves.

 

Clematis "Nelly Moser" does well in shade and is very attractive.

 

Celia sweetie your old garden was very lovely and I like your poker method of planting too 'All in! :D Hel.xxx.