In article ,
"jw 1111" writes:
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| thanks. aspect; facing south, soil reasonably ok, but clay below one foot
| in depth. location is north london. u.k. space in front 18 inches.

The clay is a problem. Don't plant clematis. There is a
lot more choice if something is provided for climbers to grow
up, and 18" is plenty of room. The least visually obtrusive
support is galvanised wire stapled to posts, but wire mesh
(e.g. pig netting) is easier to put up.

Otherwise, consider an ivy, a Virginia creeper (Boston ivy),
Hydrangea petiolaris or one of its allies, or Campsis (radicans
or x taglibuana). The last is spectacular, but flowers only
when it reaches the top of the wall and waggles free. What
else is self-clinging, he asks.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.