These climbers, or creepers are usually used to hide a large blank exterior wall, fence, or gate. These can be leafy climbers, with, or without flowers and these can add texture and colour to a dull surface. They are easy to grow and maintain.

To cover a large wall surface, on the side of ones house, the Boston Ivy, is a fast-growing, self-clinging climber. It will cover a 10 to 12 metre (30 to 40 ft) span of wall easily, as it is very densely foliaged. The leaves will turn medium green in spring, darker green in summer and a crimson brown in autumn. This is a deciduous climber, which likes partial, to full sun and grows well in any soil conditions.

Bougainvilleas add height, colour and texture to anyone’s boundary fence. This plant also aids in security, because of it’s very sharp thorns. It is an evergreen scrambling climber, which grows quickly. It needs to be tied to a fence, or trellis when first growing and then pruned when larger, as it can so quickly get out of control. These Bougainvilleas thrive better, growing against a north-facing wall, or fence, in full sun, in most soil types.

The advantage of this boundary plant, is to hopefully keep out unwanted visitors and keep bored neighbours frompeering in!

The Black-Eyed Susan is also an indigenous climber, which wraps and twines  it’s tendrils around ugly fences, for support. This flowers all summer, in pretty shades of pink, yellow, or orange. Once established, it requires little attention and can be grown in hot, dry areas. This is very vulnerable to strong winds, so best tie up the long stems to a support, especially when the plant is young. To induce vigorous growth, pinch out tips of young growth.

An advantage of this versatile plant, is that it can be also planted as a ground cover, for unsightly areas.

The Common Ivy is an evergreen, abundant ivy, which can hide unsightly fences. It is very woody stemmed and has ivy roots, that absorb moisture from the air. It has the ability to grasp onto smooth, or rough surfaces. The shiny leaves are shaped like arrowheads and will form quickly, self-clinging cover to almost any area. Most ivy’s prefer well drained, fertile, alkaline soil, and are easy to grow in shade, or sun.

An advantage of this ivy is that there are 11 species and 280 cultivars, so take your time choosing the best colour and texture, for your type of garden.

The Star Jasmine is best grown up a trellis, or fence. It is an indigenous climber, that needs to be grown in fertile soil. This can also be grown, to climb on and hide an ugly wall. This climber produces a mass of sweet smelling flowers, in spring and early summer. The flower of this particular plant, has been known to give people terrible headaches, because of the strong scent it gives off.

The soft waxy leaves, with pale brown stems, are just as attractive, when not in bloom. To ensure it grows where you want it to, attach the main stem to the trellis, with ties. This should be planted in semi-shade, and is very hardy, once established. As this is an indigenous plant, it doesn’t require too much water.

An advantage of this trellis grower, is that it creates an attractive pattern of light and shade, if on a plain wall. Attach these trellises to the wall, by means of hooks, which enable it to be easily removed, when doing wall maintenance.

How does lazy gardening appeal to you. Find out how to have a lovely garden without any digging. Get the book Easy Gardening. It is one of the best sellers and a worthy guide to all serious gardeners. See more here. http://dersalsites.com/eg/

Sally Robson is a South African Internet marketer, who together with her husband Derek, have a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and other non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet, by overcoming the many obstacles facing them. They have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. Sally has a passion for gardening. For more articles and advice on gardening topics, visit Sally at: http://www.dersalsites.com/sallysgardeningtips/ 

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