What potted climbers for a Colorbond fence?

[KimmiJ]

I have a colour bond fence off the patio along the side of my house that I was thinking of planting some climbers to make it look prettier. Or potentially hedges ☺️ thinking of maybe doing a simple trellis only problem is area is quite shadey, and I imagine it will be pretty hot in summer and I need the plants to be potted. 
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated 

[JacobZ · Accepted solution]

Hi @KimmiJ,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

For a shady spot along a colour bond fence where plants will reside in pots and need to cope with summer heat, it’s best to choose climbers and shrubs that are both shade-tolerant and container-friendly.

For climbers, pandorea jasminoides are an excellent choice. They adapts well to pots, tolerate partial shade, and produce attractive pink trumpet flowers through the warmer months. Hardenbergia violacea is another hardy native climber that handles semi-shade well and adds seasonal interest with masses of purple flowers in late winter and spring. 

If you prefer a hedge effect rather than climbers, look for shade-tolerant shrubs that perform well in containers. Plectranthus argentatus provides a soft, silvery foliage that brightens shady areas and grows happily in pots. Compact cultivars of native shrubs, such as dwarf Lilly Pilly varieties, can also work in partial shade if kept in large containers.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to use generously sized pots (at least 30–40 cm wide), a premium potting mix such as Scotts Osmocote Premium Plus Superior Potting Mix, and mulch the top of the soil to protect roots from the heat radiating off the fence. 

A support structure such as this Jack 1m Black Diamond Climbing Plant Trainer will also help climbers establish quickly and provide a green, attractive screen over the metal surface.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[KimmiJ]

Thanks for the advice will definitely look into the jasmine and a training climber 

[Jason]

Do check out the popular project Training climbers to screen a fence @KimmiJ.

Jason

[KimmiJ]

Have looked at the training climbers post they are awesome. Was just keen on jasmine as like the flowers and the smell.

Are there any other plants either climbers or hedges you would suggest for a shady area that I imagine is going to get quite warm in summer.

just want to add some green and nature to the area doesn’t need to cover the fence or have heaps of colour. Pic below of the area. 

was planning on using planter boxes as I have 3. 

 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @KimmiJ,

Jasmine would be a lovely choice, especially in that sheltered space where you’ll get the benefit of both the flowers and fragrance. To help it thrive, I’d suggest planting it in your planters with a trellis or wire frame fixed to the fence for it to climb. That way you’ll get vertical greenery without taking up much floor space.

If you’d like some variety, you could also mix in other climbers that handle shade and heat well, such as honeysuckle, which is fragrant and tough. For hedging options in planters, look at dwarf murraya, box hedge (buxus), or even some of the smaller lilly pillies, all of which cope well in warm conditions and can be pruned to suit the space.

Since you don’t necessarily want full coverage, you could also layer things a bit. For example, have a low-growing plant like ferns, mondo grass, or even herbs in the base of the planter for greenery at ground level, then let the jasmine climb up behind it. That will soften the hard lines of the fence and give you the natural, lush feel you’re after without overwhelming the space. 

Here's a rendering to help visualise the concept.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[KimmiJ]

Love the idea of layering. Thanks hadn’t thought of it. Will definitely look into it. Any specific jasmine species you would recommend? 

[MitchellMc]

I’d definitely recommend star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) as the best all-rounder. It’s the most common choice because it’s evergreen, has beautiful glossy leaves, produces masses of fragrant white flowers, and is really hardy in both shade and full sun once established. It’s also much less invasive than some of the true jasmines.

I have a giant one that I've trained across a trellis covering half of the front of my house.

Mitchell