Eddy wrote:
Jeff Layman wrote:
It would be useful to know the soil type and approximately where in
the country these plants are required.

Thanks, Jeff. Acid soil, west Shropshire on the Welsh border.

Eddy.

Well, at least with acid soil you've got a good choice. Maybe I'm wrong,
but doesn't Shropshire occasionally get some of the coldest temperatures in
the UK? Do you know what the lowest temps you've had over the past 3 or 4
years?

The suggestions so far (Clematis, Vinca, Holboellia) are climbers or
scramblers. Looking at your picture, I am not sure why we've all only
mentioned these. As you've got acid soil, what about various Rhodos? As
long as you have acid soil, and choose any of the evergreen ones, you could
go from dwarf to medium size, depending on how much cover you want.

If they'll stand the cold, what about Ceanothus (particularly impressus or
thyrsiflorus)? There are various Sarcococca that would also fit the bill.
An added bonus would be scented flowers in winter.

If shrubs aren't what you want, and you are in a very cold winter area, then
I seem to remember a thread on hardy evergreen climbers a few months ago
(try Google groups for this newsgroup). I think the conclusion was that
only Hedera would stand most situations, and even that might suffer with a
severe frost.

--
Jeff
(cut "thetape" to reply)