What to put over garden seat/arbour ?

[sarahkeast]

So today I planted 4 posts !!!! Tomorrow I will build the seat and trellis bits.

Wondering what to plant to climb over it and either side. My shopping policy for a while has been only stuff you can eat, or native/good for wildlife, but not had a project like this to consider.

Any suggestions on what to plant over it ? a fairly open position, seen from house, I am thinking something that will smell nice, look good for a long season, give good coverage [not necessarily year round] and interest, and of course beneficial to wildlife.

Will probably do lots of sweet peas this year for quick impact, or maybe something else ?

Thanks

Sarah

[Thomzo]

I'll volunteer a loganberry. Pretty flowers, plush red fruits over a long period, flowers and fruit together. Nice big green leaves for a long season. It's not evergreen but perhaps a winter flowering clematis with it? Something for the bees and insects (which in turn helps your kitchen garden).

Zoe

[oldjerry]

Great choice,I'd also intertwine various climbing annuals (HHPs) and runners of course,painted lady is areally colourful variety, BW

[fifi folle]

Honeysuckle?

[pelmetman]

Roses always look lovely.

We also grow chocolate vines which grow really quickly, at this time of year they have pretty little purplish flowers which have a heady scent of yes CHOCOLATE. Each year we have at least one blackbird making its nest in it.

Sue

[sarahkeast]

Aww, chocolate vine ? no way !!!! my car wears a bumper sticker "Life is short, Eat chocolate"

So I was thinking Loganberry, honey suckle and maybe jasmine on nearby random tall fence post. now I have to figure it all out again !

Any suggestions for what to plant under the seat ? apart from a few scrounged up paving slabs.

[Odsox]

How about runner beans over the top, 3 different varieties with scarlet, pink & white flowers ?
Underneath the seat would be a good place to grow mint, or thyme if it gets some sun.

[Green Aura]

What about a grape vine? Or trained fruit trees - pears are often used to make arches.

Do loganberries have spikes? I'm not sure anything thorny would be a good idea.

[Odsox]

Do loganberries have spikes?

Some do and some don't Maggie.
I had one that had vicious small thorns which one year threw up a single spine free stem, which I layered and now have a smooth stemmed Loganberry.
Some day it will probably revert to it's spiky version.

[phil55494]

How about hops?

[Green Aura]

How about hops?

They'd be great but you might want to fall asleep every time you sat down!

[Nomada]

Kiwi fruit!

[scrap]

Mashua is a pretty climber.
Very easy to grow,tasty and highly unusual looking stuff.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashua