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Climber Wall Shrub

Ercilla volubilis

A self-clinging climber growing as a dense mass of slender, very leafy stems, to 6m. Flowers are small, purplish white, borne in dense, stalkless spikes to 3.5cm long

Synonyms

Bridgesia spicata
Ercilla spicata

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Phytolaccaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Genus: Ercilla are evergreen climbers, supporting themselves by aerial roots. The simple, roundish-ovate leaves are dark green, leathery, sometimes shining. Flowers small, whitish, produced in spring
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Chile

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, with protection from cold, drying winds. Tie in to a support until the adhesive roots become established and can support the mature plant

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or layer in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Banks and slopes
Wall side borders
Ground cover

Pruning

Pruning group 11 after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects if grown under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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