How to cover a small metal garden shed with greenery?

Sharnae

Hi!

My bedroom window currently looks out onto a brick fence and a garden shed. I was hoping to cover the garden shed in greenery. The shed sits on cement so I will have to grow from pots. 

I am thinking Boston ivy. I am in Perth and the shed sits on the west side of the house so receives intense mid day/ afternoon sun until the sun dips below the house next door.

thanks! 

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Sharnae. It's amazing to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about covering a shed.

It would be best to grow your vines on a self-supporting frame rather than directly over the shed itself, mainly because it’s quite difficult to get ivy or any climber to attach properly unless you’re willing to screw into the shed to add anchor points. Creating a frame in front of the shed allows you to keep the weight of the plants off the metal, prevents damage from moisture or fasteners, and gives you the freedom to train the greenery neatly up a trellis or mesh that’s fixed to the frame. This frame could consist of two posts concreted into the ground and wire trellis strung between them.

Growing from pots is perfectly fine, just make sure the containers are large enough to support the root systems of whichever vine you choose, and use good-quality potting mix to help them thrive.

Boston ivy can tolerate full sun once established, but in Perth’s intense afternoon heat, it may struggle in pots and could suffer leaf scorch unless you’re diligent with watering and provide some protection during the hottest part of the day. A more heat-tolerant alternative would be Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), which handles Perth’s sun well, stays evergreen, and provides beautiful white scented flowers. Another option is Hardenbergia violacea (happy wanderer), a hardy native climber that copes with heat and produces vibrant purple blooms. Either of these would perform better in pots and still give you that lush, green look to soften the shed’s appearance.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell