"Vacutone" wrote in message
s.com...
I have a smallish corner where I'd like to grow a climber up a north-facing
house wall to about 3m or less. Due to space limitations the container
size
is very limited- I can squeeze in a 13" square x 13" deep (internal
dimensions) container. Originally I was going to plant the Ivy Goldheart
(Hedera helix 'Oro di Bogliasco'), which apparently keeps its variegation
in
shade and is fairly resistant to drought, making this size of container
feasible. But I thought Jasmine might be a bit more fun as this is next to
a
seat and it would give a reason for wrapping up warm and sitting outside
in
the dead of winter to enjoy the scent. Well for five minutes or so at a
time
anyway....

The question is, is this size of container going to be big enough for
Jasmine
if it grows a couple of metres high?

--
Vacutone


Hi. I've read the other replies and generally agree. As much as I like ivy
(in the right place), it can make a dreadful mess of a wall if you change
your mind and try to remove it later. Also, I've grown Hedera helix
'Goldheart' in shade and it certainly doesn't keep its variegation - not
entirely anyway. You'll find that you're always having to snip out the
plain green reversion.

The Jasmine is fine if you accept there's no scent, and if you keep it
pruned for compact growth and optimum flowering, so by all means still
consider it.

My suggestion would be Euonymous fortunei 'Silver Queen'. This is a
stunning Euonymous all year round (with green/cream variegation), but
especially in winter when it seems to glow in any gloomy corner, often
taking on a pink tinge in colder weather. It should not be confused with
the lower growing types. E.fort. 'Silver Queen' can make about 4' in height
left to its own devices but, when grown up a trellis, can easily make 6'
(2m). It is not usually associated with drought conditions, but mine grows
at the top of a steep bank under a row of forest trees *and* just in front
of a Pyracantha hedge, so I think it might fit the bill! Very occasionally,
there is a tiny bit of reversion in mine - both to plain green leaves and
plain cream leaves. The cream leaves don't threaten the plant, and the
all-green leaves are rare, so it's not a big job to snip them out.

Spider