Attractive deciduous climber with slender, twining branches and dark green heart shaped leaves, tipped with 'splashed' variegation of pink and white. It produces small cup-shaped white flowers which appear in spring/summer, and are beautifully fragrant. The beautiful variegation is only apparent on mature male plants. Looks spectacular when combined with the rambling Rosa 'Albertine' or the gentle purple hues of Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' or Lavandula stoechas subsp. stoechas.
Looks spectacular climbing over a sunny wall, with the variegation appearing mainly on the upper part of more mature plants. Prefers full sun to bring out the variegation, may require some winter protection in harsh weather conditions. Attractive to cats so you may need to protect lower branches from unwanted feline attention.
Climbing plants are used to cover arches, obelisks, pergolas, fences and buildings. They can also be used to cover up unsightly features and masonry. True climbers take up little ground space and are perfect for small gardens. Wall shrubs, on the other hand, require more ground space.
A lot of climbers have the natural tendency to climb, and won’t need supports or to be tied-in. Wall shrubs, however, don’t climb naturally but they can be trained to do so. If left untrained, wall shrubs will bush outwards and grow like normal shrubs.
Planting and Conditions
Climbers can be planted at any time of year as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Autumn is the best time for planting deciduous climbers because the soil is warm enough to encourage some growth before winter comes. This will help the climber establish quickly so that the plant will be able to withstand dry, hot weather during the following summer.
Evergreen climbers can also be planted in the autumn, but it is better to plant them in the spring if your garden is exposed. This allows them to become established before the cold weather comes.
Vulnerable climbers can be protected over the winter months by covering them in a layer of insulation, such as a garden fleece.
To guarantee success, climbers should be planted somewhere there is suitable support. If it is able to climb without supports, then the wall or fence that it is climbing against should be in good condition. If you are planting a climber against a wall or fence, make sure you leave around 30 – 50cm from the wall to avoid the dry soil that is characteristic of these areas.
Climbers should be planted at the same depth as the pot. Water the plant thoroughly after planting, especially in the first few years and during bad weather. Plants against walls may not receive as much rainfall as the plants in the rest of the garden.
The type of soil that you will need will vary from climber to climber. Clematis, for example, tend to prefer soil that is moist, but well-drained. Hardiness will also vary from climber to climber, but tender plants should not be planted until the spring, and they should not be planted in an exposed area. Hardy climbers include ivy and Russian vine. Some varieties of clematis are hardier than others.
Aftercare and Pruning
Regular pruning will keep your climbers and wall shrubs tidy and full of flowers. Some climbers do have particular requirements. If a climber is left unpruned, renovation of the plant may be necessary.
Climbers should be watered well during dry spells. In the spring months, application of a fertiliser that is high in potassium should be used to feed the plant. Mulch it with organic matter, but leave at least 10cm free of mulch around the bark so that it doesn’t rot.
Potential Issues
Climbers and wall shrubs can suffer from diseases and pest problems. These include powdery mildew, aphids, scale insects, root rot and root rust, mealybugs.
These can be treated with a variety of sprays and pesticides or, if you’d rather not use them, simple removal of effected parts of the plant. Sometimes biological controls such as parasitic wasps and ladybirds can help in the fight against mealybugs.
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