Climbers are a must in your
Many are sun-lovers, so here Laura recommends 10 great options if the space you have is in the shade…
Commonly known as the chocolate vine, the exotic nature of its pendant deep maroon flowers belie the stalwart vigour of this shade loving climber. Semi- evergreen and flowering as early as late February, it really lifts your spirits at a time of the year when you need it most.
- Bone hardy
- Not fussy about soil type
- Flowers are vanilla scented and perfect as table decorations
- If it likes you it can be very vigorous
- Will only produce fruit if cross pollinated with another vine
- Not self clinging so needs wires or a trellis for support
- Fabulous early flowers
- Succulent attractive foliage
- Impressive size
- Slightly less flowers in shade than in sun
- Can range over a large area
- Old foliage can look a bit tatty over time
Rightly popular this climbing hydrangea is a totally reliable choice that will steadily bring character and interest to a North wall. Produces a gnarly framework decked with pretty, white, lacecap style flowers in summer and striking butter yellow foliage in autumn.
- Self- clinging so no need of support
- Can act as a living support for other climbers such as winter flowering clematis
- Adds a sense of character and gravitas in an otherwise tricky location
- Can be slow to establish in the early years
- Deciduous so bare branches in winter
- Can grow very high so may need a ladder eventually to be pruned
A really great clematis for a North Wall bringing all the pizzazz of its bigger relatives, but in a more manageable form. 'Freda' is a deeper pink that most Clematis Montana and its leaves are purple flushed. It holds the coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit, so you know its going to be a winner.
- Bright cherry flowers in May and June
- Less vigorous than other C.montana cultivars so perfect for the smaller garden
- Attractive purple flushed foliage.
- Once flowering
- Takes a few years to reach full size.
- Bare stems through winter
Even older than Veilchenblau, ‘Souvenir du Docteur Jarmain’ was bred in 1865, but if you don’t have room for the former, but still want a rose that’s a talking point - this is the one to go for. Sumptuous deep crimson highly scented flowers produced throughout the summer.
- Unrivalled scent.
- Happy in shade
- Virtually thornless
- Disease resistance not as good as modern roses
- Need judicious pruning to prevent legginess
- For the two reasons above may suit a connoisseur gardener rather than a beginner
Rosa 'Veilchenblau'
This rambling rose is totally unique, with magnificent trusses of small lilac flowers scented of oranges, and actually much better suited to a shady wall than a sunny one where its violet/blue flowers can be bleached of the intriguing depth of their colour. Bred over 100 years ago it still holds its own.
- Unlike any other rambling rose and a real talking point.
- Strong growth
- Virtually thornless
- Only once flowering but a stunning sight when in bloom
- Old stems must be removed each year
- Takes up quite a bit of space
A stunning, exotic looking climber that can cope with deep shade, Pileostigia is the climbing hydrangea’s more aristocratic cousin. With fleshier leaves that are flushed red when young, its frothy cream flowers appear later in the summer, when they will be feasted on by all manner of pollinators.
- Adds a real touch of class
- Young foliage is as attractive as its flowers
- Self clinging so no need for support
- Slow to establish
- Can be capricious in its early years
- Happiest in a sheltered position
An impressive, hard-working, self-clinging climber that can brighten up a shady corner. A variegated cultivar of our native ivy, it can cope with a range of soil types and exposure. A real Trojan that will not let you down even in the the trickiest sites.
- Fast growing and self clinging
- Evergreen, so can provide natural insulation
- Good for wildlife providing cover and berries
- Not especially 'refined'
- Insignificant flowers.
- Needs annual pruning once it reaches full size
A very pretty flowering climber that should be seen more often. Going under the common name of Chinese magnolia vine, it does indeed twine like a vine and produces absolutely divine, single, pendant red flowers in summer.
- Stunning flowers
- Elegant leaves, flushed red when young
- Unusual and eye catching - would be a real talking point in your garden
- Not self clinging so would need support or better still, another climber to grow through.
- Takes a while to grow to a good size
- Can be difficult to source
Chaenomeles, or flowering quince, are really versatile shrubs that can be grown free-standing or wall-trained. That they are happy in both sunny sites are shady ones is an added bonus. Its best to pick one of the lighter coloured cultivars if growing in shade, and with the the pink and white hues reminiscent of apple blossom, 'Moerloosei' is the perfect choice.
- Early spring flowering, lasting for several months
- New flowers from fresh buds even after hard frosts
- In a warm year will produce fruits for culinary use
- Slow growing in the early years
- Not self clinging so needs wires if wall-grown
- Needs formative pruning if wall-training
You may also be interested in:
10 best climbing plants for a sunny spot
10 best plants that flower for ages
