Annual climbers are exotic colourful plants that grow quickly to transform a new garden, hide unsightly areas or add extra colour to existing fences, arches, pergolas or obelisks all in one summer. They have the capacity to germinate, grow vigorously, flower generously and set seed within a few months. Some are technically perennials in their native countries but are subject to frost in England so we grow them as summer flowering annuals. They give extra summer interest when grown over existing evergreens or spring flowering shrubs or through leafy perennial climbers. They are excellent for growing on an obelisk or tripod in a container surrounded by annual bedding plants where they give height and direct the eye line to the interest below. Keep pinching out the new tips to give tight compact growth and an increased number of flowers. In new gardens they will quickly cover new fences in one season while the perennial slower growing plants like clematis and roses become established.
A very popular Annual climber is the Sweet Pea, Lathyrus Odoratus. They are easy to grow from seed planted in March under cover and moved to the flowering position in May. The flowers are very sweetly scented in a gorgeous array of colours from white, pink, red, maroon, lilac, blue and deep purple. Grow in a container over a tripod or obelisk. Keep cutting the flowers every few days to keep more flowers coming until late summer.
Eccremocarpus Scaber, The Chilean Glory Plant, is a slender climber with bright tubular flowers in red, orange or pink. It associates well with Canary Creeper, Tropaeolum Peregunum a vigorous scrambler with bright yellow feathery flowers and attractive palm shaped leaves. Both are good scrambling over spring flowering shrubs that have already made their colourful contribution to our gardens.
Cobaea Scandens, The Cup and Saucer Vine, has sweet smelling large bell flowers that open white and green maturing to purple. The bell cups sit in green bract saucers. It enjoys moist well drained soil in full sun and climbs by tendrils so excellent on plastic or wire supports on wooden fences or wooden trellis.
Ipomoea Tricolor, Morning Glory is a splendid climber which is very easy to grow quickly reaching 5m. It will cover trellis and chain link fencing forming a good backcloth for other summer flowering annuals. The profusion of gorgeous azure blue trumpet flowers appear from June to October. It is very free flowering when grown in full sun in free draining soil. The large heart shaped leaves are also very decorative. The flowers attract butterflies and bees.
Thunbergii Alatus Susie Orange, Black Eyed Susan, a discreet twining plant that grows well in free draining soil in sun. It has lots of small deep orange flowers with black centres from June to September. Use for focal height on a small obelisk in a mixed container. It is important to remove the faded flowers to ensure continuous flowering.
Another smaller climber is Petunia Tidal Wave. It will grow to 1.8m on a tripod in a pot and give a wonderfully colourful display of white, red, pink and crimson all summer. The container needs to be in full sun, use Jacks Magic Compost for planting and feed weekly with tomato food removing the faded flowers as they appear.
Nasturtium African Queen is another climbing bedding plant with yellow orange and red flowers and lovely grey green leaves. Allow it to scramble over low evergreens or spring flowering deciduous shrubs for a blaze of late summer colour.
A funky thing to try which is amazingly effective if you have an archway and want a bit of fun is to plant climbing Runner Bean Painted Lady, as a foil, for Squash Curcubita Maxima Turks Turban. This is a winter squash with multi coloured fruits the shape of Turkish Turbans in a phenomenal array of colours from white yellow orange red and green.
I’d love to know what you think about some of these suggestions. Please send a message via Milton Ernest Garden Centre website.
Summer Temperatures entice us to spend time outdoors so we then become more aware of our surroundings and for the lucky ones our first encounter is our own garden. We see the colour and beauty but our other senses are also stimulated with fragrance, touch and sound helping us to feel relaxed and happy. Today our busy lives demand we take some time out so here are a few plants to help achieve a garden Shangri La.
Annual climbers are exotic colourful plants that grow quickly to transform a new garden, hide unsightly areas or add extra colour to existing fences, arches, pergolas or obelisks all in one summer. They have the capacity to germinate, grow vigorously, flower generously and set seed within a few months.
Last month we talked about planting our tubs for summer colour with bedding plants. This month let’s look at a few special plants that can decorate the patio all Summer and into Autumn. Some will flower until late November providing colour for seven months of the year.
