We grow a range of hardy, climbing shrubs. Any varieties we consider to be
half-hardy, tender and only suitable for growing in a conservatory in this part
of the country are labeled accordingly on the pot.
All our climbing shrubs have been container-grown to minimise root
disturbance when planting, but this does not mean that they are suitable for
growing to maturity in tubs or pots - most are not.
The foliage of climbing shrubs is described as being either:
Deciduous - they loose their leaves for the winter.
Semi-evergreen - they loose some of their leaves for the winter.
Evergreen - they are in full leaf all year round.
CAMPSIS. £3.26 each.
These deciduous climbers have small, red and gold, trumpet-like flowers in
August-September, but are decidedly tender. They need a sunny, well-drained
position sheltered from harsh winds (or you could plant in a conservatory).
CLEMATIS (single flowered) £3.26 each.
Hardy, deciduous varieties (we do grow an evergreen variety, but it is
tender), none are self-clinging.
Plant in good, deep soil where the roots will be shaded, but the upper
stems will be in the sun.
Plant them 5cm (2 inches) deeper than they are in the pot.
After planting, place flat stones for about 25cm (10 inches) around the
stems - this is to ensure the roots stay cool in high summer.
Water well in dry weather.
Orientation - some varieties are suitable for sunny positions, others for
shade. We have different varieties of Clematis suitable for planting in any
part of the garden.
SPECIES CLEMATIS £3.26 each.
Easier to grow, smaller-flowered plants.
MONTANA.
White and pink varieties, early-spring flowering
(actual flowering time
depends on the weather).
MACROPETALA.
Blue and
pink varieties.
April-May flowering.
VITICELLA.
Purple flowers, July-September.
TANGUTICA.
Yellow,
bell-shaped flowers
followed by fluffy seed-heads.
July-September
flowering.
LARGE SINGLE FLOWERED HYBRID VARIETIES. £3.26 each.
White, pink, magenta-red,
pale blue, deep blue and purple varieties.
Their
summer flowering time depends on variety.
DOUBLE FLOWERED CLEMATIS. £4.09 each.
Hardy lilac purple
and white varieties.
Spectacular double flowers, but usually much slower growing than the single
varieties. This could be a combination of being so far North and the amount of
energy spent producing such large blooms.
CLEMATIS WILT DISEASE
Clematis Wilt usually only seems to affect the larger-flowered, hybrid
varieties. However, the smaller-flowered, species varieties are only resistant,
not immune.
Affected stems suddenly collapse with all their leaves wilting at once. These
stems are dead or dying and cannot be recovered - remove them immediately
(secateurs should be cleaned with disinfectant afterwards).
Removing them will stimulate new replacement shoots to arise from the base of
the plant, but the disease will still be present. The best remedy is to use
repeat (always follow the instructions on the container) applications of a
suitable, systemic fungicide. When the plants become mature they may not be
affected.
If you have had previous difficulty with clematis wilt (it is widespread in
the area) in your garden, or dislike the idea of having to use such chemicals,
plant the less susceptible species varieties instead.
HEDERA (IVY). £3.26 each.
We grow several varieties
of this hardy evergreen;
all prefer moisture
(without
being waterlogged)
and some shade.
The smaller-leafed varieties usually stand more wind - the larger-leafed
types could be ripped off a wall in high winds (this should not pose a problem
away from the hills).
HYDRANGEA PETIOLARIS. £2.08 each.
Deciduous, self-clinging climbers. Only white is available. They need a
well-drained position and must have shade. If planted in the sun they are
unlikely to climb or grow properly.
We always supply climbing Hydrangeas as small plants with their first stems
trained horizontally, these should be planted close to the wall with their stems
pegged down or weighted down by soil. The side shoots should run up the wall
without difficulty (larger plants may look good for selling, but have great
difficulty in "jumping" successfully from cane to wall).
JASMINUM
£3.26 each.
Deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen varieties. Any well-drained soil will
do, but they must have a warm, sunny position - not a plant for cold, exposed
hillsides.
For summer flowering we have white, yellow and pink varieties. Twining
growth, not self-clinging. Be sure to ask if you want to plant in a
conservatory, some varieties are too rampant.
The yellow, winter-flowering variety is hardier, can stand some shade, but is
shrubby in its growth and needs to be tied back to the wall to make it climb.
LONICERA (HONEYSUCKLE) £3.26 each.
Deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen varieties. They like a moist soil and
will grow well in sun or partial shade, but if you plant in too much shade they
will have less flowers. Honeysuckle has a climbing/scrambling habit best suited
to growing on fences, dry-stone walls or pergolas.
We grow several varieties; in general the winter-flowering types tend to be
white, small-flowered and much less showy than the summer-flowering varieties.
The colour range of the summer varieties includes white, yellow, orange/scarlet,
pink and the usual bicolour (pink or purple and cream) varieties. Scent depends
on variety.
Depending on variety, honeysuckle may take two or three years after planting
to be old enough to achieve its full flowering potential.
PARTHENOCISSUS. £3.26 each.
Deciduous, self-clinging climbers. They will grow on any soil, in sun or partial
shade, but the more they are in the sun, the better the scarlet autumn foliage
seems to be.
PASSIFLORA (PASSION FLOWER). £3.26 each.
These tender, deciduous/semi-evergreen climbers are sold only for planting in
conservatories in this district.
White/blue flowers from June to October; use a liquid, tomato fertiliser (or
any other high potash feed) to encourage flowering.
Over the years, some customers have managed to establish them outdoors,
but
this is not usual and most of those have been planted on free-draining soil in
very sheltered, sunny, town gardens.
ROSES, CLIMBING £3.26 each.
Large, hybrid-tea-like blooms. The traditional rose for house walls.
Spectacular, but usually fewer flowers than on rambler roses.
ROSES, PATIO CLIMBING £4.75 each.
Miniature, climbing roses, suitable for growing in large pots or tubs.
NOTE - the far more vigorous rambling and climbing roses are not recommended
for planting in tubs as they are sure to grow too large to be supported by the
relatively small amount of soil in the tub or the water that it can hold.
ROSES, RAMBLING £3.26 each.
These are mainly cluster-flowering varieties producing a large number of small
to medium sized flowers. Most need little pruning (unlike climbing roses) and
are good for planting on fences.
SOLANUM (CHILEAN POTATO VINE). £3.26 each.
Tender semi-evergreens. Purple/blue or white varieties, they produce masses of
flowers between July and September. Potato vines do, however, have two important
drawbacks:
Their tenderness means that they should only be planted in a sunny,
well-drained position sheltered from harsh winds.
The fruits, which follow the flowers (and probably the rest of the plant),
are poisonous. This means that they should not be planted in a conservatory
where children (or adults with diminished responsibility) may have access.
See Health and Safety notice on information page.
