10 award-winning (AGM) plants for shady north walls
Cold, dark north-facing walls can be tricky, but the right plants will thrive there – adding colour, texture and year-round interest to transform problem spots into garden features
Walls present a wonderful planting opportunity, whatever direction they face. The shade and relative cold offered by north-facing walls (along with the potential for dry soil caused by the wall’s ‘rain shadow’) means that it’s best to choose your plants carefully.
Fortunately there are lots of gorgeous plants that are up for the job – including this selection of RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) winning shrubs and climbers, chosen for their ability to bring light, texture and charm to darker corners.
Osmanthus delavayi is a dependable evergreen shrub whose foliage, flowers and fragrance are all valuable. Its neat, narrow leaves are a rare shade of charcoal green and make an ideal backdrop for the clusters of pure white flowers that open in March or April. On top of that there’s the scent, which is noticeable even on chilly days, and on mild sunny days you may even smell it from around a corner. Height 1.2m (4ft). Hardiness rating H5.
Celebrated by gardeners for its unique charm, Itea ilicifolia surely deserves an accolade even higher than the AGM. Not a flashy plant, the bright and holly-like evergreen foliage clothes a rounded shrub which, in late summer, is festooned in long greenish-white flowers that have a surprising yet welcoming vanilla fragrance. It's happy
Azara serrata is an evergreen shrub from South America that proves especially useful on north-facing walls, provided it is sheltered from icy winds. Its neat, toothed, bright green leaves form a handsome background to the clusters of fluffy, yellow, scented summer flowers, and over time the whole plant develops into a dense shrub that remains attractive all year round. The flowers are sometimes followed by white berries. Height 3m (10ft). Hardiness rating H4.
Lathyrus latifolius ‘White Pearl’ is a white-flowered form of the everlasting sweet pea, one of the easiest and loveliest of climbing perennials. Up to a dozen pure white, pea-like flowers are carried on long stiff stems in summer and, although not scented, they last very well as cut flowers and in the garden. This vigorous plant clings to wires or trellis with its curling tendrils. Similar form Lathyrus latifolius ‘Albus’ also has an AGM. Height 2m (612ft). Hardiness rating H7.
Popular for well over 100 years, Rosa ‘Madame Alfred Carrière’ is a super-scented climbing rose which blooms repeatedly from early summer until early autumn. Its combination of gentle colouring, relatively few thorns and wonderful tea rose fragrance make it a lovely plant to have. Grown on a north-facing wall or fence, the pale pink flowers are protected from bleaching in bright sun, and their individual blooms last even longer. Height 3m (10ft). Hardiness rating H5.
Like ivy, Hydrangea petiolaris is a plant that clings to walls, fences and tree trunks using tiny roots that develop wherever the stems touch another surface – so no need to put up wires or trellis. The bold heart-shaped leaves make an attractive cover, and in summer, the broad white lacecap flowers open and may reach to as much as 25cm (10in) across. Its
Ivies are the ultimate evergreen climbers for cold and also shady walls, and they come in a vast variety. There are lovely forms with plain green leaves, but it’s the many
Pyracantha SAPHYR ROUGE (‘Cadrou’) is a compact, spiny evergreen with narrow, glossy leaves, sprays of white flowers in late spring and early summer, and abundant orange-red berries in autumn that attract birds. Its sister, Pyracantha SAPHYR ORANGE (‘Cadange’), offers a similar effect with bright orange berries. Both are tough, reliable shrubs that resist common problems such as fireblight and scab, making them perfect for hedging, walls, or mixed borders. Height 2m (6–12ft). Hardiness rating H6.
Celastrus orbiculatus Hermaphrodite Group is probably the least familiar of these cold wall lovers. It is a deciduous twining plant from China, related to Euonymus, that develops small flowers. In autumn they turn into pods that split to reveal a yellow lining surrounding bright red seeds – all set against buttery yellow autumn leaves. It’s vigorous, and easily pruned in spring. Male and female plants are usually needed for fruit, but not with this form. Height 5m (16ft) or more. Hardiness rating H6.
Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ is an ultra-dependable plant that you’ll find on sale everywhere, from urban florists and markets to country nurseries and local garden centres. Its name sums it up, with vivid golden edges to its neat, dark, evergreen leaves which may develop pinkish tinges in winter – it’s always cheerful. When planted on a wall or fence, it doesn’t climb, exactly, but flattens itself against the wall as it grows. Height 60cm (2ft). Hardiness rating H5.
More hardy colourful plants for a north wall
Clematis Arctic Queen ('Evitwo'PBR) (EL)
Clematis macropetala 'Lagoon' Jackman 1959 (A/d)
