In article , Sacha wrote:
On 2012-06-08 11:18:04 +0100, Jake said:

Many new gardeners want an instant effect and then regret planting e.g.
Russian Vine. But sorting out that wall and then planting, perhaps
honeysuckle or Holboellia or Clematis will ensure a reasonably swift
coverage within a couple of years. The OP also needs to find out what
kind of soil he has and perhaps nourish it before planting, if the
garden has been neglected. He also has to think about where in the
garden they want a seating area or a swing for children etc. But where
the garden is is extremely important, Jake's absolutely right.

And where he is! In the colder parts of the country, there is
precisely one evergreen climber - ivy, Hedera helix. In the
intermediate areas, there are none that are both reliably evergreen
and have much in the way of flowers (e.g. Clematis armandii gets
very tatty in winter and Holboellia flowers get frosted).

So a better option might be an evergreen climber and annuals for
the flowers (e.g. morning glory). It depends on where he is.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.