Spacing Climbers along a Fence

[balkantrek]

I want to cover a high unsightly fence in my garden with a selection of climbers to create a nice thick (and attractive) wildlife habitat. The length of the fence-line is about 14m and faces south-east getting quite a lot of sun.

Ideally I would like to cover it with a nice mix of species such as Hedera helix, Lonicera periclymenum, Clematis vitalba, Clematis montana, Clematis armandii, Rosa canina, Humuluis lupulus and perhaps Rubus fruiticosus (a more controlable garden Blackberry hybrid rather than a real rampant Bramble).

All the sources I have looked at tell me to plant about 25cm to 30cm away from the fence, but none actually say how far apart to space the climbers from each other. Was thinking about soemthing like 50cm between them, and perhaps alternating Ivy with a selction from the others on my list. Would love them all to intermingle and make a 'hedge' of climbers along the fence and be a realy haven for wildlife, but dont know if I am just going to end up with a total mess that is of little benefit.

Any thoughts or suggestions as to how best to space these climbers out so that they are of optimum benefit?

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by balkantrek

I want to cover a high unsightly fence in my garden with a selection of climbers to create a nice thick (and attractive) wildlife habitat. The length of the fence-line is about 14m and faces south-east getting quite a lot of sun.

Ideally I would like to cover it with a nice mix of species such as Hedera helix, Lonicera periclymenum, Clematis vitalba, Clematis montana, Clematis armandii, Rosa canina, Humuluis lupulus and perhaps Rubus fruiticosus (a more controlable garden Blackberry hybrid rather than a real rampant Bramble).

All the sources I have looked at tell me to plant about 25cm to 30cm away from the fence, but none actually say how far apart to space the climbers from each other. Was thinking about soemthing like 50cm between them, and perhaps alternating Ivy with a selction from the others on my list. Would love them all to intermingle and make a 'hedge' of climbers along the fence and be a realy haven for wildlife, but dont know if I am just going to end up with a total mess that is of little benefit.

Any thoughts or suggestions as to how best to space these climbers out so that they are of optimum benefit?

I think the 'problem' you are faced with can be reduced to three main points:
(1) The eventual size of any given plant. (2) The growth rate of any given plant. (3) The shape and 'habit' of any given plant.

Of the selection you've considered there are those that stand out as both rapid growers and eventually large plants (C.montana) those that are slow growers (at least initially) but which are eventually large (H.helix). Then there are those which need support to grow (Clemetis) and those that are self support (Hedera), while there are also those which are 'carpeting' in habit - and those that are 'branched'.

On balance I'd say you are trying to mix too many 'styles' of climber and that there's certainly a possibility of creating a difficult to manage 'mess'. That said, mixing climbers can work, though the investment in maintenance can be high. My inclination would be to go back to basics and start with soil type, location in UK, and aspect. Clematis for instance would prefer a more alkaline soil and hate having their roots in the sun and suffering any level of drought. Hops are pretty hardy, but if you want the fruit then you'll need male and female plants, and two plants could easily cover half your 14 metres in a couple of years.

To create the hedge effect you suggest would really require building a timber frame support standing 25cm proud of the existing fence. That would certainly accommodate the Rubus and Rosa and allow other plants to densely fill the gap between frame and hedge. On balance what you propose seems to me to be quite difficult and my simpler solution would be to choose a few suitable vigorous climbers of similar habit - dense carpeters grown with support netting. Then in front of that, plant a number of free standing shrubs/small trees to break up the 'sight line' of the fence, so that visually the climbers serve as a backdrop to the more immediate interest of the shrubs. Overall planting costs would be similar, maintenance easier, and potentially, depending on the choice of shrubs, the range of wildlife attraction could be greater. Shrubs would provide beneficial shade, that if Clematis are indeed suitable, planting on a south facing site would be feasible.

Not perhaps the answer you were hoping for but I think may save you effort in the long run.

CM

[balkantrek]

Thanks very much for your interesting reply. The location of the garden is in Thanet (Kent), so the soil is good old London Clay!

Establishing climbers up the fence is just the first stage of the project. This was simply to provide a dense and bushy habitat on the fence, before planting in front some smaller shrubs and then a nectar-rich flower border for bees, butterflies and moths.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by balkantrek

Thanks very much for your interesting reply. The location of the garden is in Thanet (Kent), so the soil is good old London Clay!

Establishing climbers up the fence is just the first stage of the project. This was simply to provide a dense and bushy habitat on the fence, before planting in front some smaller shrubs and then a nectar-rich flower border for bees, butterflies and moths.

Actually, although it's hard to work, London Clay is a pretty good basis for a varied garden and wouldn't of itself preclude any of the plants on your wishlist, though digging in a good amount of organic material before planting would be wise. Your location also wouldn't preclude any of your wish list plants and the only concern would be the issue of protecting the clematis roots and ensuring both good drainage and good water supply.

One thought about how you could mix some of the climbers on the fence, is to work, at least in the first few years, on a vertical as well as a horizontal spacing model. This would involve wide horizontal spacing of the vigorous species like C.montana (2 metres spacing minimum) and training these to cover the fence from say above 30cm, and then closer horizontal spacing of Hedera (perhaps as close as 50cm per plant), which would be trained to cover only the bottom 50cm of the fence. How this would work in the long term I'm not sure but would give you a faster cover rate without a density of planting that creates a problem of root competition.

CM

[Jez]

I agree totally with all CM has mentioned!!!

When i first got into gardening, the back of the garden where I was at the time, had an open 8ft high 10ft wide exposed wire fence put up buy the neighbours which I planted clematis jackmanii and clematis Orientalis not the most vigorous of Clematis but still managed to cover the wire fence completely. Montanas are the most vigorous & I've seen them grow up and smother medium trees and rob them blind with montana flowers, they are rapid!

I'd take everything CM has had to mention on board esp adding some nutrient rich organic matter to break the clay down a tad and give new climbers a good feed in the process. I've clay soil and have a few good clematis doing wellwith thought of height and posistion when planting and covering with stones to keep the roots cool is a good tip!

[balkantrek]

I seem to remember helping my mother plant a clematis in her garden many years ago, and that we placed large stones all around the foot of the plant.

The idea of giving a much wider spacing to the more vigorous climbers and allowing them to dominate the upper part of the fence, and then infilling with Ivy and allowing this to cover the lower part seems good and I think this is what I will try. I will also make sure that any trellis or wire supports for the climbers are spaced suitably away from the fence to allow room for birds and other creatures to set up home behind.

Then in front of the climbers I will set about establishing a butterfly/bee border.

This is just the first part of what promises to be a very exciting project to establish a new wildlife garden completely from scratch on. It will no doubt involve a lot of challenges, as well as trial and error, but its comforting to know it can only be an improvement in terms of wildlife value. At the moment its just the typical small suburban fence-enclosed lawn.

The overall idea is climbers and flowery butterfly/bee borders down one side, native hedging plants down the other underplanted with semi-shady wildflowers. The far end of the garden to have a small tree, compost heap and bird feeding station, and the middle section to be taken up with a small wildlife pond and tiny bog area, and then to encourage what little bits of lawn I leave to develop into longer more flowery meadow-type grass. There is currently one small concrete patio-type area half-way down the garden, and I intend to leave this for a bench and use it as a viewing area over the butterfly/bee border and the pond. Then at the near end of the garden, directly beside the back of the house is a decking area with pergola which I should be able to enlivinen with some honeysuckle and pots of herbs.

[Jez]

Definitely a worthwhile and exciting project, sounds delightful!!! I have in my spring garden which is a favorite part of the garden for early nectar loving bees a few under planted summer shady plants which attract bees and butterflies -Foxgloves was an obvious choice for bumble bees and the Commas like visiting the Wood Cranesbill aswell as Speckled Wood, as a recommendation! Wishing you all the enjoyment in making your back garden nature reserve and hope you will be rewarded most highly.

Jez

[Ilex]

As far as ivies are concerned, Fibrex Nurseries (Hederas) do some lovely English ivies and a few of these were found many years ago in the countryside as natural variations.

Love the idea of some humulus lupulus - what about 'Aurea'? Another climber I really like the look of is the honeysuckle 'Graham Thomas' which is creamy yellow in flower and has a long season.

Great suggestions above and some learning for me there as well.

All the best with your project,
Graeme

[balkantrek]

Thanks for all the words of advice and encounragement. I will post updates throughout the year as the project develops!