Climbing challenge

[mrbadexample]

Ok, thank you all for the suggestions. Nick's rose was sort of the winner but we looked at others and have ordered Rosa Bobbie James as we think it'll be a little better for bees.

Quite excited about the prospect as it happens.

It does concern me a little that no-one has said the cherry laurel will take all the water and nutrients and whatever I plant there will die. Is this genuinely not a concern?

[Chestnut]

I also live next to a substation, and the previous owners had put a varigated ivy (NW facing), and a berberis. Bees love the ivy, and birds have nested in the berberis.
I love the fireplace, just needs something red to grow in the grate, like hot coals!

[mrbadexample]

I also live next to a substation!

Hurrah, it's not just me!

They're not terribly pretty are they? We thought about painting a fire but something like marigolds would nail that. Good idea!

[Nicos]

It does concern me a little that no-one has said the cherry laurel will take all the water and nutrients and whatever I plant there will die. Is this genuinely not a concern?

It is a concern but if you put loads of much and compost down first and water regularly I'd have thought it'd do ok.

I have two Austin roses, one is under a massive pine tree and hardly gets any water - but us right next to a triple compost, so it gets the constant supply of nutrients but no water . I chuck a bucket of water at it when it's hot or it's not blooming as it could and it picks up.
The other one is under a cherry tree and in full sun at the height of summer. That gets a bucket of water once a week when it's particularly hot, and the occasional sprinkling of feed and banana skins.

Yoy can at least try and see how it copes ...and if not then move it....
I guess it'll be fine if you are happy to pamper if necessary.

I love the idea of orange flowers in the fireplace!

We have a very old bike propped up against a fence at the bottom of our garden and put a galvanised watering can on the back with multi coloured tumbling nasturtiums and a geranium. Looks lovely!

[Chestnut]

Hurrah, it's not just me!

They're not terribly pretty are they?

Agree they need a bit of greenery, but they are surprisingly good neighbours in other ways. Very quiet, no loud music late at night, and being single storey we get more light in the garden and through our windows than we would if we had a 2-3 storey building there ;-)

[nick the grief]

Ok, thank you all for the suggestions. Nick's rose was sort of the winner but we looked at others and have ordered Rosa Bobbie James as we think it'll be a little better for bees.

Quite excited about the prospect as it happens.

It does concern me a little that no-one has said the cherry laurel will take all the water and nutrients and whatever I plant there will die. Is this genuinely not a concern?

Bobby James is a nice one. I did think Kiftsgate but that can be a little too vigourous

Do forget Crocosmia for your fireplace .. good old Lucifer or Diablo ( even redder)

[mrbadexample]

Bobby James is a nice one. I did think Kiftsgate but that can be a little too vigourous

Do forget Crocosmia for your fireplace .. good old Lucifer or Diablo ( even redder)

Kiftsgate? 60'

Ok, I've forgotten Crocosmia.

[mrbadexample]

Agree they need a bit of greenery, but they are surprisingly good neighbours in other ways. Very quiet, no loud music late at night, and being single storey we get more light in the garden and through our windows than we would if we had a 2-3 storey building there ;-)

That's a very positive outlook and quite true!

[nick the grief]

Kiftsgate? 60'

Ok, I've forgotten Crocosmia.

I did say it was vigourous I once bought a Rambling rector for our vicars 60th birthday ( he had a sense of humour) and that romped up a 40ft oak tree no problem

[Martin H]

You could try the climbing hydrangea, Hydrangea petiolaris. It's tough as old boots, vigorous without being too rampant once it gets going, and has the big advantage of self-clinging.

[mothhawk]

Something else to consider is the orientation of the wall. Most climbers seem to grow towards the rising sun, i.e. to the east, at least that's what I find in my garden. So if your wall runs east/west and you plant at the east end you will be constantly fighting it to get it to cover the rest of the wall to the west.

[mrbadexample]

Something else to consider is the orientation of the wall. Most climbers seem to grow towards the rising sun, i.e. to the east, at least that's what I find in my garden. So if your wall runs east/west and you plant at the east end you will be constantly fighting it to get it to cover the rest of the wall to the west.

I'm expecting a bit of maintenance. As I am not planting this on my ground, I have to accept the risk that it could be chopped down at the whim of the grounds maintenance people. That would be a shame if it happens 10 years down the line, but it might. I will therefore need to make absolutely certain that it doesn't grow into the substation or cause any other problems, so it will be kept on a tight rein.

[Babru]

Bobby James is very beautiful. My sister has it, and it is pretty vigorous. Long, long branches, which are easy enough to train.

[mrbadexample]

Bobby James is very beautiful. My sister has it, and it is pretty vigorous. Long, long branches, which are easy enough to train.

That sounds ideal.