Climbers and wall shrubs

Question 1

Define a wall shrub

Answer 1

Shrub which may be trained to grow up a wall

shrubs benefit from this sheltered location and provide an insulating effect and may help to prevent weather erosion on a house wall.

Question 2

Ceanothus ‘Concha’

Answer 2

evergreen shrub of dense habit, to 3m in height and width

arching branches bearing narrow, dark green leaves and profuse clusters of deep blue flowers in late spring

well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun

Question 3

Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris

Answer 3

(climbing hydrangea)large self-clinging, deciduous climber with broadly oval leaves turning yellow in autumn.

Flower-heads to 20cm in width, with small fertile flowers surrounded by showy white sterile ones May to July

best grown in partial shade in a moist but well-drained soil enriched with well-rotted organic matter

Question 4

Pyracantha Saphyr Orange (‘Cadange’)

Answer 4

piny evergreen shrub of compact habit, with narrow glossy leaves

sprays of white flowers in late spring and early summer, followed by bright orange berries in autumn

h 1.5 - 2.5m, s 1.5 - 2.5m

fertile soil in sun or partial shade. Tolerant of pollution

Question 5

Garrya elliptica

Answer 5

(silk tassel bush) shrub or small evergreen tree of rapid growth and bushy habit, to 3.5m.

Leaves oval to roundish, dark shining green above, felted grey beneath.

The long, grey-green male catkins flower in January and February.

well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Question 6

Viburnum tinus

Answer 6

Winter interest

large, evergreen shrub to 3m with dark green, oval leaves.

Clusters of small, creamy-white flowers, often pink-tinged in bud, are produced over a long period in late winter and spring, followed by blue-black berries

most moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soils. Full shade to full sun

Question 7

Trachelospermum jasminoides

Answer 7

(star jasmine) vigorous medium-sized evergreen twining woody climber with glossy dark green, oval leaves 5-8cm in length and often turning deep red in winter

clusters of very fragrant white flowers 2.5cm in width become cream with age in summer

h 4 - 8m, s 4-8m

fertile well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade with shelter from cold winds

Question 8

Lonicera japonica ‘Repens’

Answer 8

(creeping Japanese honeysuckle)
vigorous evergreen climber with purplish stems and leaves

clusters of strongly fragrant white flowers tinged with purple on the outside in summer

best in partial shade but tolerates full sun, thrives in any moist but well-drained soil.

Question 9

Akebia quinata
(chocolate vine)

Answer 9

climber with bright green leaves composed of five elliptic or obovate leaflets notched at the tips.

Fragrant reddish-purple flowers, with larger females at the base of the raceme, are sometimes followed by purple fruits up to 10cm in length

h 8-12m, s >8m

thrives with any good garden soil and aspect, including north-facing

Question 10

Cobaea scandens
(cup and saucer vine)

Answer 10

vigorous perennial climber, usually grown as an annual, with pinnate leaves

fragrant, bell-shaped flowers 5cm in length, which change from greenish-white to purple in summer to autumn

h 2.5 - 4m, s 0.5 - 1m

sheltered, sunny wall or trellis and moist but well-drained soil for the best flowers, south or west facing

Question 11

Jasminum nudiflorum
(winter jasmine)

Answer 11

medium-sized deciduous shrub with long, arching branches. Leaves small, trifoliate.

Flowers to 2.5cm in width, bright yellow in winter and spring

Wall shrub