I need some inspiration. I want to cover the walls of the garden in climbers that will produce lots of fruit and look good too. I'm in England, zone 8 IIRC, ie it only just freezes in winter.
I've got walls of all aspects to cover, S, E, W, N.
I know I want apples! But a good mix of things would be nice. I might also try a fruiting akebia, but I've been told theyre really rampant, so Im not sure.
I would like to try russian olive, elaeagnus angustifolia, but its more bush than climber, so it might become an endless hassle to maintain. I have that one and also elaeagnus ebbingei limelight - not convinced either of them are suitable tho.
Thinking of possibly putting kiwi on the north wall, it will get some direct sun once it gets about 6' high.
Yup, I'd love kiwis, only thing is I gather they're really rampant. Is that true of the pink Manchurian? I'm also aware the fruit wont store: a week in the frdge is about it. That is a real downside, tho its one I'd live with if I had to.
So far I'm definite about apples, and like the idea of passion fruit. Kiwis I guess I nede to know more about their growth rate, and whether the pink one will ripen fruit on a north wall - if it will I do like the idea - the north wall is the tricky one of course. The N wall does get a little sun in summer.
Absolutely. I would only consider it as a hardiness rating really, and not quite perfect even for that.
Yes!! Apples and Britain go together like peaches and cream, we is lucky.
Passionfruit does well here. It does die back in winter, but it soon makes up for it again. It fruits plentifully. Being deciduous it does leave a bare wall much of the time tho, so its best grown with somethnig slow to provide winter cover. Yes I like that one.
Good point.
max temp in summer 30C, most summer days are 19-26C. Winter stays at freezing all day for a few weeks max in Jan. It normally only goes a bit under frezing. Rainfall 50-60 inches per year, and its regular rather than long time coming then flood. I never water outside, no need. Soil is clay-ish, ph alkaline but not chalky, so good growing ground. If it werent for ph I'd consider blueberries, but I'm not going to install acid peat beds.
So we have good growing conditions, but only mild summers. Perfect for apples! But I'm hoping for more variety than just applse, apples and apples :) So so far I've got apples, passionfruit, and possibly kiwis for the north wall.
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