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North facing climber advice, please

(9 Posts)
SofiaA Wed 24-Sept-25 11:24:00

I'd really like a rambling style climber near my front door.
The problem is it is north facing, though gets a lot of indirect llight.
Also it would need to be grown in a pot because of how paving is.
I'm looking for leaves the year round with colour much of the time.
Maybe I am asking for far too much!

Has anyone any advice, or experience on this?

Aldom Wed 24-Sept-25 11:28:32

I planted variegated ivy on part of my north facing fence. It's done extremely well in the three or four years since planting. I had noticed a pretty variegated ivy on a north facing fence elsewhere in the area. It looked so nice that I decided to do the same.

Patsy70 Wed 24-Sept-25 12:21:28

I looked up ‘climbers with year round interest on north facing wall’ and there are a number of choices. Trachelospermum, Honeysuckle, evergreen Clematis, Hydrangea, to name a few.

ClicketyClick Sat 27-Sept-25 13:44:02

Containers for climbers needs to be deep, deeper the better and at least 2 feet deep x 2 feet wide as roses have extensive roots. You might struggle to find a rambler to suit for a pit due to the size they grow to and big root system. I've just planted New Dawn rose ( light pink and scented) in a north facing position in a container as this can cope with shade and has repeat flowers. Also just potted up a Gertrude Jeykell rose for the same reason ( deep pink, repeat flowers and a heavenly scent) but this may need more sun than north facing gives. I'd recommend you Google climbing roses for containers in north facing position. This will give you some good options. Because roses generally lose their leaves in winter, I've planted one of mine with an evergreen clematis called Early Sensation but their are others. Happy gardening

Davida1968 Sat 27-Sept-25 14:11:19

I recommend an ivy called "Golden Girl". We bought ours from a reputable online supplier. It's hardy, robust, and attractive. (We live in northern England.)

CocoPops Sun 28-Sept-25 05:51:23

When I lived in the UK I planted a Hydrangea Petiolaris on a North facing wall next to a front door. It grew very well and looked great.

Kats2 Mon 09-Mar-26 18:23:39

If you get the David Austin catalogue..they have little icons underneath each rose saying full sun ..some sun.. part shade etc etc.,

Esmay Mon 09-Mar-26 18:43:41

Another vote for Hydrangea Petiolaris .
Mine is now into year 30 and was grown from a cutting .
I decorate it for Christmas and Easter.

Whitewavemark2 Mon 09-Mar-26 20:39:49

There are a few clematis that appreciate a north facing position.