Gardening Questions?

[Gary]

Does anyone have any ideas or recommendations for a climbing plant to cover a north facing wall?
It's an unsightly piece of wall and I would ideally like something that will cover it completely!

[funkychick]

My favourites would be Virginia creeper fantastic colours in the autumn or wisteria gorgeous fowers

[Gary]

Thanks FC, I will take a look at both of those!

[funkychick]

Don't know if this helps Gary

http://www.gardens4you.co.uk/index.php? ... yr3941F3IU

http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/parthe ... tAod0ncAcw

[frankiesays]

I doubt the Wysteria would like a north-facing wall, virginia creepers seem quite hardy as do Clematis as long as they have their "feet" covered.

[Gary]

Thanks for your ideas, suggestions and links ......... all very helpful.
I have decided to go with the Virginia Creeper as this seems to grow in shade and it's rapid growth rate appeals to me!
It should quickly cover the dull piece of wall that I have in mind.

[Suffolkboy]

Gary,this is a photo I took of a virginia creeper climbing up a farmhouse whilst on holiday,it has begun to turn to those vivid scarlet colours as Autumn approaches,all leaves eventually drop off.
Hope this helps you to visualize what you could have.

[funkychick]

......and this is before it turns red when its at the yellow/orange stage on my back wall

[funkychick]

I was given a tub of grape hyacinths by my friend a few weeks ago they are passed their best now and the flowers are starting to fade shall I put the bulbs straight into the garden or do you have to dry them off and plant them in the wiinter

[boatbuilder]

Be very careful with Grape Hyacinths, FC. They tend to spread everywhere like wildfire. I have got them in my garden and although they are in the back garden, I have found them growing in the front and I have never planted them there. It maybe the birds or the wind that help them spread, I don't really know.

There are a lot of websites available on a Google search of which this is one and which will probably give you more information.

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamen ... cinths.htm

[funkychick]

its funny BB I have crocuses in the little potato area I have, and have never ever planted any there LOL must be birds

I thought it would be nice to keep the thread going and ask others opinions instead of looking it up but if no one comes up with any ideas I can do that thanks for the site ref, its such a beautiful 'get out into the garden' day

[nikkai]

Virginia Creeper had one on the garage at Robertsbridge, was great for colour but then when it has shed all leafs it is a shame it looked so barren, we did try to grow an evergreen climber entwined but was not that successful.

[Gary]

Gary,this is a photo I took of a virginia creeper climbing up a farmhouse whilst on holiday,it has begun to turn to those vivid scarlet colours as Autumn approaches,all leaves eventually drop off.
Hope this helps you to visualize what you could have.

......and this is before it turns red when its at the yellow/orange stage on my back wall

Both pictures look impressive, thanks for sharing. I can't wait to see those beautiful colours!

[frankiesays]

Be very careful with Grape Hyacinths, FC. They tend to spread everywhere like wildfire. I have got them in my garden and although they are in the back garden, I have found them growing in the front and I have never planted them there. It maybe the birds or the wind that help them spread, I don't really know.

There are a lot of websites available on a Google search of which this is one and which will probably give you more information.

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamen ... cinths.htm

It might be a good idea to plant them in a large pot and dig a hole for it in the garden, they are easier to control that way, just pull out anything that isn't in the pot.

[seagull]

Neighbour at the back end of fence got bamboo it all ready taken over my next door neighbour her garden been taken over by his bamboo 75yard garden bamboo taken about 60%now it pushingmy bottom fence bamboo push big hole.the term on my deeds say shared cost.i not paying penny for something not mine he the cause of all the bamboo suckers.Any ideas what I can do stop them growing.It worrying me as the fence panel with his bamboo ivy and clematis all gone mad pushing the fence.
Another panel on different neighbour push fence down he made her pay for fence she moved because of this.