Climbing Plants Top 10 – The Russian Vine

Posted April 25, 2011 by admin in Blog, Climbing plants | 1 comment

Another contender for our top climbing plants list is the Russian Vine, perhaps a little contentious this one however it can be a very useful plant that provides rapid growth, form and colour.

The Russian vine is not for the timid gardener with little time on their hands as it is a speedily growing and large emerging plant which is sometimes termed as an undesirable, nuisance climber. Also commonly referred to as the ‘mile a minute’, this apt nickname just begins to describe The Russian vine which originates from Asia, Tibet and Western China.

Height: Up to 10 metres
Flowers: August – September
Family: Fallopia

This is best suited to larger gardens or areas that require hurried growth for privacy or decoration purposes, for example proving a swift covering to gates or exposed fences. The Russian vine needs careful and attentive pruning of a regular nature to avoid a complete garden take over. It is a fully hardy occupant of any garden space.

The Russian vine, also known as the ‘Fallopia baldschuanica’ is quite simply a climber which is easy to root in any garden, but caution is required. The vine encompasses wood like stems which climb and can reach staggering heights of up to ten metres if left unchecked. The triangular shaped leaves can grow up to ten centimetres which sport separate clusters of white, greenish or paler pink flowers which can grow up to fifteen centimetres each. The flowers then protrude with tiny, white-pink fruits.

Position a Russian vine either in full sunlight or shade which is partial and the plant does well in soil from a poor quality to reasonable fertile, preferring well drained moist soiled areas.

It is an exceptionally fast growing plant which flowers between the months of August to September with stems that will remain all year round. Ideal for decorating any ugly garden structures or fences and walls, but can lead to a garden becoming choked if not routinely kept in check.

Top 10 climbing plants – Jasmine

Posted April 23, 2011 by admin in Blog, Climbing plants | No comments yet

Jasmine is often a shrub of woody nature or a trailing, climbing plant vine. Originating from Africa, Europe and Asia it boasts some 200 species from these areas and is partnered with regions of the world where warmer and more tropical conditions exist. The leaves are simple, that provide housing for most species which produce flowers white in colour, with petals of a deliciously sweet and powerful fragrance. Flowers then appear in spring or summer months. 

Height: Up to 15 feet
Flowers: Spring / Summer
Family: Oleaceae

The popular climbing plants available in the UK include the fragrant smelling Jasmine and there are many varieties which can be used in both winter and summertime periods. ‘Summer Jasmine’ (‘Jasminum officinale’) is ideal for sunnier garden areas which provide shelter within some milder spots of the United Kingdom. ‘Jasminum nudiflorum’, the Winter Jasmine, will give needed decoration to chillier areas that have some shade and provide welcome relief when most flowers are not in abundance during the winter.

Species of Jasmine which are hardier to frost will be absolutely safe in chillier greenhouses (warmed via a smaller heater to keep frost at bay) or conservatory areas which are unheated. However, the species of Jasmine which are more sensitive will possibly need a night time temperature between 13-15 degrees centigrade.

Bushes of Jasmine need to be planted between the months of June, to November each year, with spacing of a minimum eight feet to allow for subsequent growth. Having a preference for direct sunlight or partial shade, planting in a warm area is recommended. Moisture laden and well drained soils providing sufficient fertility will promote Jasmine growth.

Jasmine of the summer variety requires a space which provides shelter, direct sunlight, with a south westerly or south facing direction. The winter variety is best suited to a north west or south easterly pointing placement and can be more resistant where some shade is also in place.

Top 10 Climbing Plants – Ivy

Posted April 22, 2011 by admin in Blog, Climbing plants | No comments yet

Ivy is probably one of the most commonly known climbing plants which has many uses and as such is of highly versatile nature. Ivy is evergreen so it provides a wonderful covering for many objects. From archways, pergolas, hanging baskets or leafy backgrounds, it can always provide a needed colourful coverage.

For wildlife lovers, during the winter months, Ivy still can supply berries to wild birds in need and insects enjoy feeding on the white flower’s nectar. When climbing, Ivy is characterised by its three to five lobed leaves of glossy appearance.

Height: Up to 10 metre
Flowers: Produces berries in the winter months
Family: Hedera

Ivy plants are available in a large number of different varieties and boast five of these that are more significant, including popularly used English Ivy, Swedish Ivy, Poison Ivy (harmful, can give an unpleasant rash), Boston Ivy and Devil’s Ivy.

Ivy is without a doubt one of the very best climbing plants which can be utilised to provide coverage on bare, unsightly walls or even trees. It hosts a large amount of colours in existence which provides much needed decoration within duller garden spaces or lonely areas. The plant can be easily grown up obstacles and also successfully thrives along the floor, providing a useful ground covering.

Gardeners need to be wary of this attractive, but very clingy and rapidly growing plant as it can quickly become a nuisance if left unchecked. As Ivy can grow extremely quickly it will soon cover buildings, walls and  fences. Sometimes this can give potential causes of worry regarding possible structural damage that can occur.

Ivy enjoys growing in fully available sunlight conditions, shaded areas or partial shade, which of course makes it a perfect choice for dingy corners of the garden which don’t enjoy too many sunlit periods. Suitable for any level of gardener, from beginner to expert, planting Ivy in most types of soils which also provide good drainage capabilities is a simple process.