Climbers

Clematis napaulensis has been in the past a specialist’s plant and not in the mainstream of nursery plants, but along with the related Clematis cirrhosa and its tribe in their winter bloom, it is worth a look. It is for gardeners who want a winter-blooming clematis unusual in both foliage and flower and can give it the protection of a wall from where its flowers can be best enjoyed.

Clematis terniflora is our favourite climber for sheer abundance of frothy bloom, when it is in full bloom starting at the end of August, the air is filled with its honeyed scent. Abuzz with little bees and adorned with butterflies the autumn clematis is thrilling to observe. Watch the late summer butterflies, and listen to the hum of bees as they work the flowers.

Cotoneaster ‘Gnom’or C. salicifolius ‘Gnom’ is an invaluable creeping evergreen for both ground-cover and the edges of borders or can be allowed to cascade over walls or trained to climb them. This variety is of spreading habit with deep glossy green leathery foliage and small white tinged pink flowers which are followed by heavy crops of small bright red fruits in autumn - often persisting through winter....

Jasminum officinale Fiona Sunrise, the Sunshine Jasmine flowers from May through to September with its heavenly scented white flowers. The yellow foliage starts in the spring with new growth tinged with red, summer brings the flowers and bright lush yellow foliage turning in autumn to the most glorious gold colour which lasts well into winter if mild weather permits. An excellent plant for growing on fences, arches and trellises. Grow in full sun or part shade in any good garden soil. Height and spread in 10 years 3m x 3m.