Evergreen climbersis an easy way to create a year-round hedge. Usingfast-growing climberswith unusual foliage, pleasantly fragrant flowers and decorative fruit, we can quickly turn a boring fence into an evergreen screen with an original character. Here are the5 fastest growing evergreen vinesthat will transform your garden!
Evergreen Honeysuckle is a great proposition among climbers for creating fast-growing hedges. Photo pixabay.com
1. Henry's Honeysuckle (Lonicera henryi)
Henry's honeysuckle belongs to the evergreen honeysuckle species. It is a veryattractive and fast-growing vine(shoots lengthen by 1 m during the year), growing up to 3 m in height. For this reason, it is often recommended as a fast-growing climber for pergolas.This honeysuckle is decorated with long (10 cm), lacet-shaped, dark green leaves that persist throughout the winter, growing radially on the stem. Few flowers, attracting insects, bloom on the tops of the shoots from June to August. Henry's honeysuckle grows best in a slightly shaded position, sheltered from strong winds. Prefers humus-permeable soils. It can freeze in harsh winters, but it regenerates easily.
2. Honeysuckle (Lonicera acuminata)
It is the second species of evergreen honeysuckle. It is avigorously and vigorously branching climber , reaching up to 4 m in height. In one year, the shoots grow 1-2 m each. The shoots are covered with numerous, small, hairy leaves, which do not fall off during the winter.From June to October, it is crowded with cream-yellow flowers. Pointed honeysuckle iscompletely frost-resistant and resistant to air pollutionIt has no special requirements for the soil, it can grow in partial shade or sun. The advantage of this species is that it is not attacked by aphids like other honeysuckle species.
3. Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
It is asemi-evergreen honeysuckle speciesThis means that small (4-6 cm long), ovate leaves stay on the shoots until mid-winter. From June to August, numerous fragrant flowers appear at the top of the shoots. An additional decoration are small, blue-black fruit with a waxy coating that ripens from August to October.
Japanese honeysuckleis characterized by rapid growth(1-2 m per year) and reaches a maximum height of 6- 10 m. Japanese honeysuckle is easy to grow. It grows best in sunny or semi-shaded positions, sheltered from winds and in fertile, moderately moist and well-drained soils.As it freezes easily, it is most suitable for cultivation in warmer regions of Poland.Japanese honeysuckle variety 'Aureoreticulata' with interesting dark green leaves and bright yellow veins is recommended. This variety is characterized by a weaker growth - it reaches up to 3 m in height, which, however, is enough to cover any fence of average height.
4. Five-leaf akebia (Akebia quinata)
The five-leaf akebia is a very attractive, but rare species of perennial,fast-growing climber with evergreen leavesDuring the year, akebi shoots lengthen from 1 to 3 m, and eventually the plant grows to a height of 5 6 m. The plant is decorated with umbrella-shaped, finger-shaped, dark green, stiff leaves composed of 5 oval leaves, which stay on the shoots all year round. In more severe frosts (below -15 ° C), however, the leaves may turn brown and fall. An additional advantage of this plant are the flowers of a purple shade that bloom in May, which are gathered in clusters and exude a pleasant, delicate fragrance. Akebia has no special soil requirements, it can be planted in sunny and semi-shaded positions. In our climate, akebia is not attacked by pests and diseases. The variety 'Variegata' is exceptionally decorative with light discoloration on the leaves.
5. Henry's Blackberry (Rubus henryi)
Henry's blackberry is aoriginating from Asia, vigorously growing, evergreen climberNaturally, it reaches 6 m in height, but in the climatic conditions of Poland it grows up to 3 m. This plant isdecorative due to the large evergreen leaves(10-15 cm long). They are 3-lobed, glossy leaves covered with white, felt hairs on the underside. They give the plant an unusual, exotic appearance. There are a few hook-like spines on the shoots. In June, pink or light red flowers appear on the shoots, gathered in clusters. In late summer, shiny black fruits develop.Henry's blackberry is not difficult to grow.Requires acidic, loamy, moist and permeable soil. It grows well in full sun and partial shade. In the case of young specimens, it is advisable to cover the plants for the winter, while the older specimens tolerate Polish winters well.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
