Ledbury Focus September 2019 Ledbury Focus September 2019 v2 | Page 12

Creating Your Garden Paradise article by Jonathan Bishop Climbers A s we approach autumn you may notice more and more changes to leaf colour. One plant that becomes very obvious this year is the Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata). Its tones of purple and red are stunning in early autumn and it is one of the loveliest of climbing plants at this time of year. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinguefolia) also has a similar habit of climbing vigorously. These plants are good for covering exposed north and east facing walls. They are vigorous so do need a lot of controlling by pruning back in early winter. This can be done simply to contain them within bounds or to restart them from the base. There is such a wonderful array of climbers that you really are spoiled for choice and you can use them to create year round interest in the garden. Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is one of my favourites. It is evergreen, but produces sweetly scented flowers in the summer; it grows well against a south facing wall so is the perfect backdrop for a south facing seating area. It climbs readily by itself up trellis work with little care needed. It is not an aggressive plant and will remain relatively contained with some pruning needed after flowering. 12 Other well behaved climbers are plants such as the climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. Petiolaris). This is a deciduous plant that will lose its leaves in winter, but it does produce wonderful heads of lacecap type flowers in summer. It will climb without the need for tying in and is great for a shaded wall. It can be pruned back after flowering or just left to climb. Another good choice for a shaded wall is Chocolate Vine (Akebia quintata) but it will also thrive in more sunny locations. For a more exotic look you might want to plant something like Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) These have long trumpet like flowers that are bright yellow or red in late summer. It is important that in order for it to flower you do not prune it too hard. The flowers appear at the end of the long whip like growth that grows throughout the summer. Some shrubs can be trained to cover bare walls if trained along wires. Shrubs such as Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea) and California Lilac (Ceanothus sp.) are excellent candidates for this. These will both produce year round interest. Firethorn is evergreen, and produces lovely white flowers in late May and bright berries in winter if pruned correctly. It’s important to keep your climbers weed free at the base. I too often see in the course of our work, a climbing plant has been lovingly installed, only to be overtaken by English Ivy (Hedera helix) or other weeds. Weed out any English Ivy and other invasive weeds, such as bind weed, that can easily creep into To advertise call 01684 833715 or email: [email protected]