There is no need to embark on an expensive facade renovation to give your house a touch of style! Tastefully chosen climbing plants will ensure the show and will quickly transform an unattractive facade into a little jewel.
Practical advice
Not all climbing plants are suitable for your façade. A judicious choice will save you a lot of trouble. Of course, the climate must be taken into account when making your choice; gelatinous plants such as bougainvillea, officinal jasmine or bignone should be reserved for privileged regions.
Climbing plants all have different ways of hanging. Some are voluble, others have tendrils, suction cups or spikes to climb, others will need support. Ivy and Virginia creeper are known to cause some damage but this will only be the case if your plaster is already a little cracked or of poor quality because their powerful clinging system tends to seep into the slightest crevice. However, they will be valuable on a facade still in good condition to dress a paint that has aged badly. They will also offer shelter and food to many gardeners' helpers, such as lizards, gecko and even some birds.
When planting your climber, always think about its future development. Wisteria, for example, can form a 40 cm diameter trunk and its branches can overcome the best iron trellises by twisting. A good basic equipment is therefore necessary. Trellis and trellis system must be fixed beforehand in a perennial way.
The plantation must be carried out according to the rules of the art according to each species: the cold plants in the shelter and in the sun, while the hardiest ones will tolerate a northern exposure. Also think about winter and choose preferably evergreen foliage to prolong the show. Finally, avoid plants that produce large fruits or colored berries such as passionflowers or honeysuckles, because once ripe they could crash to the ground creating unwanted odors and dirt.
Climbing plants for facades
As we have seen, several criteria help determine the ideal plant for a façade. Here is a small list of possibilities according to their use:
- Ivy is perfect for covering a large surface even in the shade or in the North. Evergreen, hardy and with a multitude of sizes and colors of foliage, it is a carefree plant that hangs itself along your walls.
- The Virginia creeper is also ideal for quickly dressing a facade with the advantage of being adorned with sumptuous colors in the fall. However, the foliage of the plant disappears in winter.
- The akebia and the climbing hydrangea are plants that we don't think much about, yet they are covered with delicate flowers in the summer, with a special mention for the akebia that blooms very early in the spring.
- Clematis should be planted with the feet in the shade and the head in the sun. The different species allow for staggered flowering throughout the year.
- For those who love fragrance, climbing roses, honeysuckle, jasmine and wisteria are a must, while those who love bright colors will choose bougainvilleas, bignones, passionflowers, thunbergias or even morning glory. But beware, these plants appreciate warmth and sun and will only bloom well in these conditions!
