Needed, non vigorous climber, preferably evergreen!

Hi Anthony, for evergreen try Clematis Armandii, several varieties some may be too big and I find can get a bit straggly looking, so check - they have glossy leaves and v.fragrant flowers, Clematis Cirrhosa like Jingle Bells or Freckles - depends if they have a preference for flowering period, Clematis Cartmanii Fragrant Oberon is smaller and very fragrant, loads of flowers and doesn't really need pruning, other than that I have also used Akebia Quinata (Chocolate vine), evergreen down here in the south east with tiny plum coloured flowers that smell vaguely chocolately although one I have at home, doesnt smell much at all, depending on aspect it may however be a bit too vigourous, but I find it easy to keep trimmed back. I have also grown Rose Gertrude Jekyll pink old fashion style flower and not vigorous in a tub with Clematis Nelly Moser climbing up through it and it looks great - so you could use any combo of two or more climbers, if they wanted a variety in colour, flowering period and interest.

Hi Guys, not all evergreen clematis are too vigorous, I agree the Armandii can be vigorous as it grows much longer in length, but it is not a thick and bushy plant, like the Montana which can completely take over, so the overall effect is that it may not be too vigorous in the bushiness sense (if you get my drift), but you need to research the different clematis's as the others I quoted have some quite small varieties amongst them, especially the Cartmanii oberon, it is smaller and low maintenance- I found a link to a nursery thats sells them to look at: http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/clematis-fragrant-oberon.html - they also have a section on evergreen clematis that might help you? I also agree that Trachelospermum jasminoides it is a lovely plant BUT although not fast growing can reach up to 20+ foot long and will need wires or trellising around for it to twine - it needs support, it does not have tendrills. So if the support is three legs - you may not easily get a full display cross ways, but your client may not want that.

Replies

Trish Reynolds February 15, 2012 at 11:08pm

Hi Anthony, for evergreen try Clematis Armandii, several varieties some may be too big and I find can get a bit straggly looking, so check - they have glossy leaves and v.fragrant flowers, Clematis Cirrhosa like Jingle Bells or Freckles - depends if they have a preference for flowering period, Clematis Cartmanii Fragrant Oberon is smaller and very fragrant, loads of flowers and doesn't really need pruning, other than that I have also used Akebia Quinata (Chocolate vine), evergreen down here in the south east with tiny plum coloured flowers that smell vaguely chocolately although one I have at home, doesnt smell much at all, depending on aspect it may however be a bit too vigourous, but I find it easy to keep trimmed back. I have also grown Rose Gertrude Jekyll pink old fashion style flower and not vigorous in a tub with Clematis Nelly Moser climbing up through it and it looks great - so you could use any combo of two or more climbers, if they wanted a variety in colour, flowering period and interest.
PRO

Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd February 16, 2012 at 7:32am

Trachelospermum jasminoides.
phil smith yewtreelandscapes.com February 16, 2012 at 8:51am

agree with above, every green clematis will be way to vigorous, go with a jasmine
Trish Reynolds February 16, 2012 at 11:59am

Hi Guys, not all evergreen clematis are too vigorous, I agree the Armandii can be vigorous as it grows much longer in length, but it is not a thick and bushy plant, like the Montana which can completely take over, so the overall effect is that it may not be too vigorous in the bushiness sense (if you get my drift), but you need to research the different clematis's as the others I quoted have some quite small varieties amongst them, especially the Cartmanii oberon, it is smaller and low maintenance- I found a link to a nursery thats sells them to look at: http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/clematis-fragrant-oberon.html - they also have a section on evergreen clematis that might help you? I also agree that Trachelospermum jasminoides it is a lovely plant BUT although not fast growing can reach up to 20+ foot long and will need wires or trellising around for it to twine - it needs support, it does not have tendrills. So if the support is three legs - you may not easily get a full display cross ways, but your client may not want that.
Rose Lennard February 16, 2012 at 5:31pm

I love Trachelospermum jasminoides but have lost a couple due to cold winters in Gloucestershire. Am trying Schizophragma hydrangeoides which seems to be semi-evergreen.
Chris Auld February 16, 2012 at 5:35pm

Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin', more of a scrambling shrub than a climber but can be trained up a trellis. Its semi evergreen and not too vigorous.