wildlife gardening

shei111 · #1 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 04:34 PM

Hello Can anyone tell me if a virginia creeper would be benefical to birds please ? ive got 1 gardening tool shed which ive now got ivy over one side clematis over the other. 1 garage which I cant plant around as its all concrete. 1 Summerhouse with a evergreen honeysuckle, ivy. The gardening tool shed is 12X8 I would have liked to have put a virginia creeper on the other side which is semi shaded, because of its quick growing and autumn colour, any iedeas would be appreciated thanks alot. sheila

tufftie · #2 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 04:39 PM

I'm not sure but possibly only as somewhere to nest in? It has got beautiful colours in autumn but think you maybe better with another quick growing climber if you want to benefit birds.

naturelover · #3 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 04:39 PM

Hi sheila,i have had one of those they are beautiful in the autum bright bed leaves,as for birds cant really say,i suppose they would nest in it as it grows quite thick,but it never happend to mine.

shei111 · #4 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 08:19 PM

Hello naturelover and tufftie, Thanks so far for your help any ideas what other climbers I could use, I would prefer some sort of evergreen and I have got absolute loadfs of ivy which I like very much. Many thanks once again sheila

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 08:45 PM

Virginia Creeper does sometimes produce fruits which are quickly devoured by birds. As others have said can produce suitable nesting for birds such as Robins + Blackbirds.

tufftie · #6 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shei111

Hello naturelover and tufftie, Thanks so far for your help any ideas what other climbers I could use, I would prefer some sort of evergreen and I have got absolute loadfs of ivy which I like very much. Many thanks once again sheila

Some loniceras are evergreen - or semi evergreen and they are or can be quick growing. There are some others too - will look themm up tomorrow

Geoff F · #7 (**permalink**) 19-03-2008, 10:48 PM

Something evergreen and suitable for a semi shaded site is a bit of a struggle but here are a few ideas which haven't been mentioned by anyone else.

You could try training one of the evergreen or semi evergreen Cotoneasters along the wall. They will tolerate a bit of light shade and produce plenty of berries. Or, as I have, a Quince Chaenomeles speciosa. Also, I have one of the evergreen Jasmines growing in a large container where it doesn't get a lot of sun. It's OK here in the deep south but I'm not sure about its hardiness everywhere.

Alternatives for light shade, but deciduous, include Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris); Chinese Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus henryana); Flame Creeper (Tropaeolum speciosum) likes acid peaty soil and plenty of water; Japanese Crimson Glory Vine (Vitis coignetiae) may grow too large; likewise the Russian Vine (Polygonum baldschuanicum).

Just look around a few garden centres and see if anything inspires you. And while your first idea of Virginia Creeper won't produce berries it will attract a selection of bugs which will indirectly feed birds.

tufftie · #8 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 08:27 AM

passifloras are also fast growing and evergreen or at least semi evergreen. There's also campsis and jasmines The other suggestion would be to get something that is slower growing like ivy and then grow perennial or everlasting sweetpeas there as well. Or there's some annuals you could grow while the climbers are taking hold - ipomeas and sweet peas etc.

Cotham Marble · #9 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shei111

Hello Can anyone tell me if a virginia creeper would be benefical to birds please ? ive got 1 gardening tool shed which ive now got ivy over one side clematis over the other. 1 garage which I cant plant around as its all concrete. 1 Summerhouse with a evergreen honeysuckle, ivy. The gardening tool shed is 12X8 I would have liked to have put a virginia creeper on the other side which is semi shaded, because of its quick growing and autumn colour, any iedeas would be appreciated thanks alot. sheila

Semi shaded is actually a good location to plant any climber that can then get its 'tops' into full sun. In fact I suspect the problem will come not from the shaded side but possibility of scorching/cooking of the plant where it lays on the shed roof.

My suggestion would be hop - Humulus lupulus. If you want fruits you need both a male and female plant. These are herbaceous plants and die back to the root in winter, however given the potential for scorch I think this could be a good compromise. As far as wildlife is concerned - hop (or at least the aphids that it attracts) is a magnet for Ladybirds.

CM

Kayleigh · #10 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

Semi shaded is actually a good location to plant any climber that can then get its 'tops' into full sun. In fact I suspect the problem will come not from the shaded side but possibility of scorching/cooking of the plant where it lays on the shed roof.

My suggestion would be hop - Humulus lupulus. If you want fruits you need both a male and female plant. These are herbaceous plants and die back to the root in winter, however given the potential for scorch I think this could be a good compromise. As far as wildlife is concerned - hop (or at least the aphids that it attracts) is a magnet for Ladybirds.

CM

There is a moth that lives on golden hop, cant remember which one though..