Gardeners’ Question Time
Humaira Ikram
Humaira has worked as a garden designer for over 10 years and runs a garden design course.
Matt Biggs
Matt trained at Kew and has been gardening professionally for more than 30 years.
Pippa Greenwood
Vippa is one of the foremost experts on pests and diseases. She gardens using organic methods.
Q What climbers can I grow in pots to hide a wall?
Joy, Hampshire
A PIPPA SAYS For containers, both shrubs and climbers will need as large a root area as possible if they are to thrive, so make sure the pots are a really good size – I’m thinking a full-sized half-barrel or similar. They must also have plenty of drainage holes in the base. Fill them with good-quality loam-based potting compost, perhaps with added multi-purpose compost and grit.
As for plants, consider Clematis ‘Joe’, which has masses of small, cheerful, white flowers and attractive foliage. You could try some annual climbers such as sweet peas, as they will bring rapid colour, wonderful perfume and screening (and will not need such a large container either). Also try morning glory, Cobaea scandens or rhodochiton. All of these will put on a great show and will not get too big or too heavy in one season.
A When it comes to the plants, you can’t have anything too big or that doesn’t do well in a pot, and it‘Kew Gardens’, which grows to just over a metre and has a hint of perfume. You could have a few of these repeated down your wall in pots. Intersperse them with ‘Diana’s Delight’, which has large blue flowers with white central markings. Both of these are attractive to pollinators.
