Climbers take up little ground space and are an excellent choice for small gardens. They provide vertical structure to the garden and will elevate their flowers beautifully.
Climbers can be either evergreen or deciduous.
These plants either twine their stems or leaf tendrils around framework such as other plants or a trellis perhaps. In fact, anywhere that they can find spaces to twine around.
Here are some popular examples:
Clematis are hugely popular here in the UK – and rightly so, for it is possible to have clematis in flower for most months of the year. Clematis are normally associated with sunny walls or dripping over the top of a fence. There are both evergreen and deciduous Clematis available. Evergreen Clematis are a great addition to any garden at this time of year adding substance which is so often lacking. The early flowering varieties are a great way to kick off early spring: E.g. “Willy”, with her delicate pale pink flowers going to deeper a pink at the base of each petal & “armandii”, a handsome evergreen with creamy-white flowers. “Warwickshire Rose” has small but beautifully fragrant, shell pink flowers that cover the plant in abundance They are displayed against a back ground of dark foliage, this foliage intensifies during the summer.
Clematis need moisture-retentive, but well-drained soil and to be positioned in full sun or partial shade. Keep the base of the plant and the roots cool and shaded by carefully positioning other plants around it, or put a layer of pebbles or flat stones at the base. They can also be grown in containers on the patio. You will need to use a large container at least 45cm (18”) in diameter, with the same depth to enable good root growth. Whether planted in the ground or in a container you will need to provide them with a suitable support for them to grow onto, an obelisk, small trellis, or use canes leading towards a wall.
Jasmines are well known for their delightful scent. They are best planted in well drained soil that does not become waterlogged in the winter. A wide range of soil is acceptable, but heavy clay soils will need to be lightened in the immediate area of the plant. Full sun or the lightest of shade is ideal. A few favourites for us here at Cramden Nursery are: “Clotted Cream”, she has masses of pretty creamy scented flowers during the summer. “Inverleith” a summer jasmine with flower buds which are dark red. The open flowers still have this colour stripe on the back of the petals making a pretty red & white effect.
Lonicera (Honeysuckle) are popular garden plants with highly perfumed flowers, the climbing varieties look fabulous draped over pergolas & supports. They prefer fertile, humus rich, moist well drained soil. They will flower best with their top growth in full sun. There are a few winter flowering Lonicera E.g.: ‘Winter Beauty’ & ‘standishii’, bringing much needed colour into the garden through the winter months. Our summer favourite has to be the new “Strawberries & Cream” with her pink and white fragrant flowers she is a beautiful plant.
Passiflora (Passion Flower) Passion flowers are vigorous tendril clad climbers with evergreen foliage and very unusual flowers. Not the hardiest of climbers, but they can survive cold winters in a dry border, with added root protection. They often get battered in the winter, but can shoot out again from down below.
Here at Cramden we are excited to be selling climbers for the first time this spring. We have teamed up with John Richards Nurseries from Malvern who grow these beautiful plants at the foot of the Malvern Hills. Each month we will have a new delivery of different types and varieties, alongside a selection of interesting shrubs and trees.