Advice on 2 climbers for front of an unusual house

Hello everyone.

I have a unusual front of my house as seen from the road (see attached picture which hopefully has uploaded ok)as the front door and porch are at the side. Consequently the front is all brick and roughcast material.

I am keen to grow a tall climber – that will not do damage – and like the idea of Wisteria which a number of neighbouring properties have.

However, as this is such a prominent place I like the idea of combining it with a tall evergreen against the wall. I’ve looked up Magnolia Grandiflora which looks good as evergreen, hardy and different flowering times. I cannot find anything though on how the two might look together. Does anybody have any experience of these two as a combination? Also, being a relative novice gardener - and new to this site - I am always open to any alternative ideas and suggestions.

Thanks in advance
Matthew

 

I had problems uploading the photo - hopefully this now works!

 

Magnolia grandiflora is not a climber, its a tree, dont think the large leaves would look good with a wisteria scrambling though it.
Wisteria on its own would be good.

I assume you intend to add support for the climber?

 

Which direction does the front of your house face?

 

Thank you both for quick replies. Point taken on the magnolia grandiflora - I will scrap that idea! I'm almost certainly going to go with wisteria and was thinking of heavy duty wire to support. I would though ideally like something to compliment the wisteria on that front wall which is south

 

...south facing. 160 degrees so slightly to the east

 

Hi Harty, The first priority will be to arrange some sort of support for whatever you plant. If you're going for Wisteria it will need to be very strong! Forget flimsy trellis etc....Plugs and screws with strong wire or cable at 12 - 18" intervals. Then you'll have to be able to get to it to train it and prune it twice a year! Same goes for Magnolia grandiflora but only once a year. It will need tying-in to keep it close to the wall.
What is the soil like? Both plants that you mention prefer slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil.

 

Hello again, You do get about don't you
What about Trachelospermum (aka Rhyncospermum) jasminoides? A lovely, slightly self-sticking, evergreen climber with scented white flowers in summer?

 

Thank you Noisette 47! I've abandoned the idea of magnolia grandiflora based on Pete's earlier comment. Soil is quite clay based although I've been able to improve it with pretty good results in the rest of the garden. Trachelospermum (aka Rhyncospermum) jasminoides looks nice and web suggests it flowers mid- to late summer. While wisteria is April to June so between them lots of time in flower. So we think Trachelospermum and purple Wisteria is a good combo?

 

Where abouts are you in the country, has I have to fleece my Trachelospermum in winter I live in Cheshire

 

Hi Ian, Letchworth - North Hertforshire