Climber (or otherwise) suggestiosn please

[HeyWayne]

Hello all

I have finally managed to get a drainage problem sorted out on our patio, and we would like to add a dash of colour and a little fragrance to a fairly dark corner.

The picture 0693 (taken facing south) shows the darkness of the area even when the sun is at it's highest. 0923 shows how the area looks after we renovated the garden (0693 was a work in progress shot). I've added an arrow to show the direction of North.

Any suggestions of what would grow well in a trough-like container most appreciated.

Many ta's

Wayne

[Alice]

Hello Hay Wayne, that corner does look dark. Honeysuckle would do OK and give you some brightness and lovely scent. It comes in many varieties so you could plant more than one variety to extend the season. And you can cut it back to keep it within the confines of the space you want it to have.
If there is a bit more light in that corner than it looks then the climbing rose Zepherin Drouhin will grow on a north facing aspect (it's the only one I know that will do it.) It does lovely pink flowers, is beautifully scented and it's thornless.
I'm sure you'll get lots of other suggestions.
Climbing hydrangea will do it - but pathetically slowly.

[HeyWayne]

I had considered Clematis, but most seem to prefer partial shade. Mine will be full shade! Ok, with maybe an hours dappled sun in the evening...

Thanks for the ideas Alice, I like the sound of the roses, but would they be suitable in a container?

[Birdie Wife]

I wonder how a jasmine would do in the shade? Anyone tried?

Many Euphorbias do well in shady conditions, you can get all sorts of shapes and sizes and I don't see why they wouldn't do well in pots. Okay so not a climber, and you have to be carfeul about the irritant sap, but it's an unusual feature plant for a corner, hardy and needs little attention. Have a look at E. wulfennii for huge lime-green bracts, or there's a purple one which I have in my garden, don't know the name but it's similar to E.amygdaloides Purpurea which is gorgeous.

[Flummery]

I was going to suggest a honeysuckle too Alice. They are natural woodland growers so like a bit of shade. If you decide to get one HeyWayne, buy it in flower and sniff it first. Some are gorgeously coloured but disappointingly scentless.