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Climber for N-facing wall

• Message 1. 

  Posted by David (U14373273) on Thursday, 15th March 2012

  I'd like recommendations, please, for varieties of honeysuckle and/or clematis for a north-facing wall in a small backyard in Truro, mid-Cornwall. Wall is about 8 feet high, and I plan to train the climber(s) up, then laterally near the top of the wall in an overall T-shape. An evergreen honeysuckle is a possibility, but I'd welcome other suggestions. I have thought of mixing two plants - a honeysuckle and a clematis, perhaps, for a longer flowering season - but both would have to be happy with no direct sun until they have made it to near the top of the wall. At least one of them should be evergreem as the wall is not very inspiring to look at through the winter. Soil isn't great but can be improved; climate is generally mild, and severe frosts are rare (except of course for the winters of 2010 and 2011!).

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Lorea (U14415784) on Thursday, 15th March 2012

  Hi David,
  I planted a honeysuckle 'mint crisp' on a north facing wall last spring. It's grown very quickly, and still has leaves, although it's described as 'semi-evergreen', and is full of new growth right now.
  It has delicate white and yellow flowers which are very fragrant, and the leaves are a mottled pale green colour.
  I'm in northern Spain where the winters are very cold and wet, but it does get some late evening sun in summer.

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• Message 3

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  Posted by chrisbucks (U14300604) on Saturday, 17th March 2012

  Does it have to be a climber? A pyrocantha would suite the spec perfectly - evergreen, very trainable against a wall, loves North-facing situations, and has nice white Spring flowers and fantastic coloured berries (in a wide choice of shades and colours) in the Autumn.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by David (U14373273) on Monday, 19th March 2012

  Many thanks for the suggestion - no, it doesn't have to be a climber, and a trainable pyracantha might well be just the job! I'll start having a look at what varieties are available.

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Monday, 19th March 2012

  My Clematis Wall / Trellis is North facing see here with Hollyhocks mixed in;
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by linda (U1797657) on Friday, 23rd March 2012

  I have a Pyracantha growing against a North wall. It's been there about 8 years and is full of berries every year. Last year I saw a piece on the TV about York Gate garden where they were training the Pyracantha along wires. I plan to make a trip there this year, particularly to see this as I'd like to do it with mine as it looked fab.
  
  I also have a Kerria japonica which grows very well on a North West wall

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by linda (U1797657) on Friday, 23rd March 2012

  These look great and very healthy.
  
  After years of getting nowhere with Clematis I've managed to grow 3 in the last 2 years. Don't ask me what I did differently. Maybe I stopped swearing at them and they now feel the love

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