"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Ian Keeling wrote:

Light may well be a problem. The gap is widish - maybe 10' between the
house
and fence and perhaps the same distance between the fence and the
neighbouring house. But it's a long gap and the houses are not small. I
mentioned the wind, because it might be a significant factor for
Pyracantha
"Golden Sun". The location is London suburbs, so there are unlikely to be
many severe frosts (but it's not the warmest position!)

How wide and high are the houses? 30' (standard biggish two-story)?
If so, I think that you are in luck.

I should be surprised if the wind in London suburbs is serious enough
to affect even a delicate pyracantha.

Thanks - some interesting suggestions. Akebia looks like a good
contender -
seems to spread pretty well, which could be useful.

It does - and layers itself, given half a chance! With that width,
you might do OK with Lonicera japonica, too, but don't bother with
the American ones and hybrids. You could also try several of
the clematis - C. alpina can be pruned back as hard as you like
after flowering, and will then grow herbaceously to 8-10'. Even
C. armandii might be OK.

I don't have any idea how things like Holboellia would do, but you
might also like to consider winter jasmine. While it would need
continual training, it is a great improver of winter gloom. Also,
Viburnum farreri (fragrans) might do, but make sure you get an
upright form - it gets to 10'+.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Cissus striata is proving good in dense shade down here came from Rosemoor
so it should be fine in London.

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs)