wrote in message
ups.com...
I have an east-facing wall at the end of my garden which is about five
metres wide and two metres tall. On top of it is a metal fence of a
sort of grill construction which is itself another two metres high.
Behind all that is a hideous block of flats resembling a gulag. The
plan is to grow some climbers to block the view through the fence. I'm
going to put some vine eyes and wires onto the wall and I think the
fence should be ideal to take climbers. The only question is what to
plant.

I'm reckoning on planting five climbers along the base of the wall. Is
it OK to mix and match? I was thinking of two plants of the same sort
of ivy (ideally fast-growing and variagated) to provide year-round
screening, unless you have any other suggestions for evergreens? Then
perhaps two climbing roses and a honeysuckle for a bit of interest.
What do you think?

Variegated ivy does not grow very fast and the bog standard green stuff is a
nightmare to keep in check.
Roses will be bare in winter.
Most honeysuckle gets all twiggy and messy looking, except henryi which is
pretty fast growing.

What about a different approach altogether?
Maybe treading coloured strips of plastic through the grill?
Or maybe even rig up a waterfall (metal sheeting attached to the grill with a
long trough all the way along the top)

If you are still keen on climbers have a look at :
http://www.plantsman.com/favourites/...s.instant.html

jenny