Just bought an arch and need ideas

Hi all,

My 2nd thread(im starting to motor now)

I have just bought an archway to put into my garden between garage/house and i am really asking for some advice on what to train up it. My intention is to plant a big tub on one side, then grow something up it that will 1.look really good 2. potentially have edible properties.

If you can recommend anything, what size pot would i need?

Thanks all

Steve

 

As large a tub as possible - half barrel or bigger, as big as you and another can carry/lift/get in back of car/van! Anything planted in a tub that is going to climb will eventually get pot bound, just a case of when. I learnt the hard way - got a clematis in a large pot and this winter it will need to be planted out, but a large, large hole dug first to accomodate the root ball.

I'm sticking to annual climbers for pots from now on.

Couldn't you break up the ground material (I assume it's concrete or paving) to get to soil underneath and plant your desired climber in that hole? Then it would have access to really spread out it's roots and you get the required effect.

 

Thanks for the response, I cant really break the material up unfortunatly as its a massive drain that its by.

Is there a plant out there that looks great but wont get root bound very quickly?

 

hi uulwyn, i have 2 arches on my balcony, got large pots for my climbers and find my climbers dont get root bound, i have passion flower they grow lovely over an arch and a cup & saucer vine which grow great,also clematis montana grows nice over arches, hope this helps.
dont know whether my balcony with it been sort of covered all my climbers stayed green especially my passion flower

 

What about beans? There are many amazingly colourful ones so they can look good and fulfill your edible criteria too. The only trouble is there'd be nothing going on there in winter.

 

Doh! I was going to suggest beans. Maybe tomatoes then? Or perhaps fruit like tayberries or loganberries (I think you can also get thornless blackberries) and according to the RHS you can grow apples in containers too (probably providing they come on a dwarf rootstock).

 

I've never had any success growing climbers in tubs, but if I was going to try again I'd suggest planting an evergreen honeysuckle, for the scent as you walk through.

 

Hi all,

Thankyou for your responses. I have gone with a Tayberry plant in a large deep pot which i have tied to the archway to force it to climb upwards etc.

Now the next question is, how do i look after it?Do I need to feed it regularly etc. I know the biggest killer is drowning it, so I have put some decent soil in purely for roses/shrubs etc that is good for water retention, however i have got alot of good drainage on the pot so that shouldnt really happen. This is my first ever fruit plant so i dont want to kill it that fast. All ideas and advice is welcome, and Ill post a picture soon.

Thanks

Steve