Set Boundaries Ablaze With Colourful Climbers

No trees? No problem. You can still enjoy the classic autumnal colour palette by clothing walls and fences with fiery leaves, berries and flowers, says Hazel Sillver

- Hazel Sillver

Decorating walls with autumn interest plants is one of the best ways to enjoy the flaming colour of the season in a small garden. Deciduous foliage that blushes crimson, rambling roses adorned with hips, berrying plants and autumn flowers – all are excellent options. As well as setting the garden ablaze as the weather turns grey, many of these plants provide food and shelter for wildlife.

When October rolls in, some of the most nondescript walls in towns and villages morph into spectacular waterfalls of red. Deciduous climbers such as Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), which throughout summer have been uneventful sheets of green, will now stop you in your tracks. The Chinese Virginia creeper (P. Haryana) is less vigorous than its cousin, yet still blushes crimson, especially when grown on the south- or west-facing walls.

If you have a pergola or fence to cover, there are many grapevines (Vitis vinifera) that produce breathtaking autumn colour, including ‘Purpurea’ and ‘Spetchley Red’. The sight of the black grapes against the purple and red leaves is truly wonderful.

Ideal for wildlife

But it’s not just us who can benefit from colourful climbers. At this time of year, birds need sustenance to survive the cold months. A wall of berries or rose hips provides a glut of food, and they won’t swipe the fruit until it’s soft and ripe, giving you ample time to feast your eyes on the spectacle. The wall shrub Pyracantha is a mass of yellow, orange or red berries, while rambling roses (such as ‘The Garland’) produce sprays of scarlet or coral hips.