Suitable for a sunny, sheltered wall, or any structure which receives full sun.

• Californian lilac(Ceanothus species and varieties) Attractive wall shrubs, both evergreen and deciduous, producing mainly blue flowers in spring/early summer, or in summer and autumn. Height variable to 6m/20ft. Not suited to shallow, chalky soils; good drainage and shelter needed.
• Chilean potato tree(Solanum crispum) Vigorous semi- evergreen climber to 6m/20ft, with purplish blue, potato-like flowers in summer. `Glasnevin’ is a good variety. Shelter and good drainage needed. Prune previous year’s shoots hard back in mid-spring. Read the rest of this entry »

As well as being invaluable for giving height to an otherwise flat plot, climbers and wall shrubs also offer an excellent way to disguise an ugly enclosure or hide unsightly objects. To grow well, all need some means of support — a wall or fence, or perhaps a rustic arch or pergola erected purely for the plants‘ convenience.

The so-called “self-clinging” types have either aerial roots (the ivy) or sucker pads (Virginia creeper). Other climbers (such as grape vines) have tendrils. Ramblers (such as honeysuckle) push toward the light by twining around a host plant. Some shrubs, although not strictly climbers, adopt an upright habit when grown against a wall — for example, Pyracantha. Read the rest of this entry »