Hello, The Boston ivies can tolerate some shade, but they tend not to flourish in very heavy shade. As for pruning, they are big plants so I would not restrict them too much, but you can remove any stems that have come loose.

Helen

Hello there It would grow through a hedge but will need a relatively fertile, well drained soil. I would try and improve the soil first by digging in lots of organic matter.

Hello, I'm afraid ivy would probably be the best option as it will be the plant best able to cope with the low light, however if you rally don't want one of these, then you could try one of the climbing hydrangeas - just don't expect too many flowers. http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/_/search.Hydrangea-anomala-subsp.-petiolaris/sort.0/

Helen

Hello, It is very unlikely to damage a sound wall, but if the plaster, render or mortar is loose, then it may.

Helen

Unfortunately we don't have an evergreen climber with red leaves. We do sell evergreen climbers,- I have attached a link below. http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/climbers/plcid.15/vid.4/ Hope this helps.

Hello, Only if you have a very big wall as the Virginia creeper, which is not evergreen, gets really big.

helen

Hello there As a general rule plants that are grown in containers can be planted at any time of year as long as the soil isn't frozen solid. The best times are in the autumn when the soil is still warm enough to encourage root growth but the plant isn't in active growth, or the spring before the temperatures start to rise. You can also plant in mid summer as long as you make sure the plants are kept well watered. Hope this helps

Georgina

Hello, Our Parthenocissus are normally despatched in 2 or 3 litre pots growing up 60cm canes, however they will be dormant at this time of year. For the size of space you would like to fill I would recommend the smaller Parthenocissus henryana www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/classid.1691 as the other varieties of virginia creeper are very vigorous and can easily get out of control. The size of your planter sounds fine but if you can make it deep or if you can make the planter so that it is like a raised bed effect and the plant can grow down into the soil below then this would be very beneficial. If grown just in the planter you will need to keep it well watered especially during dry spells and I would suggest topdressing it every year with fresh compost and a slow-release fertiliser. The plant will need some support until well established. Once established, tie in stray shoots and prune in autumn or early winter to keep the plant within bounds, paying particular attention to stems that are encroaching on any windows, guttering or roofs. I hope this helps. Sarah

Hello Roland, The best will be the Hederas, which are self-clinging like the Parthenocissus - just click on the link below to go straight to them. http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/_/search.hedera/ If however you can put up a network of wires or trellis, then you can choose from any of the following. http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/climbers/plcid.15/vid.228/ I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

Crocus Helpdesk

Thank you so much Helen, this helps a lot.

Joanna Swainson

Hello Joanna, If you click on the link below it will take you to our fast growing climbers, which will cope with low light levels. If you click into each card you can then see the eventual height and spread of each plant - some of them are pretty big. http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/climbers/plcid.15/vid.186/vid.237/ I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

Crocus Helpdesk