Climbing plant suggestions wanted for southern-facing fence

[casey5252]

Hello I am looking for suggestions for climbing plants for my backyard. I am in Adelaide and they would be southern facing. Hoping to plant them so they can climb the pallets, the area is mostly shaded too 

 

[EricL]

Hello @casey5252 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about climbing plants.

Since your backyard faces south in Adelaide and the area is mostly shaded, you will want to choose climbing plants that thrive in cooler, lower-light conditions while still providing greenery and possibly flowers to brighten the space. A hardy and reliable choice would be star jasmine, which tolerates part shade very well, offers fragrant white flowers in summer, and creates a lush green screen as it climbs. 

For a softer look, native clematis such as Clematis aristata would also do nicely, as it adapts to shade and produces attractive cream flowers in spring. If you prefer something with a bit more foliage interest, Boston ivy or English ivy will cling easily to the pallet and provide year-round greenery, though they require occasional trimming to keep them tidy. 

For a splash of colour, climbing hydrangea is well-suited to shaded southern aspects, producing showy white clusters of blooms, though it will take a little patience as it establishes. You might also consider Hardenbergia, a native climber that will tolerate semi-shade and reward you with cascades of purple flowers in late winter and early spring.

Here is a link for ideas and inspiration: Top 10 most popular fence projects | Bunnings Workshop community

Here are some discussions that you might find helpful:

• Hardwood and mesh trellis with planter boxes by @DIY4Knuckleheds
   
• Wire trellis for climbing plants by @Remarka6le 
   
• How to train Bougainvillea near fence? by @amanm 
   
• Training climbers to screen a fence by @royq 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[casey5252]

Thank you so much  

[Remarka6le]

Hey @casey5252 , 

Great setup with the pallets, plenty of options that’ll give you a nice green wall without struggling in that shaded, southern-facing spot. If it were me, I’d look at a mix of hardy climbers so you get coverage quickly and a bit of variety through the seasons.

Star jasmine is a favourite in my yard and definitely one I’d suggest, it’s reliable in part shade, gives you those fragrant white flowers in summer, and will happily weave itself through the pallet gaps. To mix it up, climbing hydrangea would also work well in that sort of shade, producing those lovely clusters of white blooms that really brighten a darker corner.

For year-round greenery, I’d be tempted to add Boston ivy or native clematis. Both will cope with the lower light and give you soft, lush coverage. If you like a bit of colour, Hardenbergia is worth a look too, it does well in semi-shade and those purple flowers in late winter are a nice reward.

Personally, I’d probably combine something quick like star jasmine with a slower grower such as climbing hydrangea, so you’ve always got something filling in while the more delicate plants establish. That way your pallets start greening up fast, but you’ve also got a bit of interest and variety long term.