Suggestions on what to grow up my arch

So I built this archway nearly 2 years ago now with the hope of growing runner beans up it. However I have found that the beans need tying in and I'm struggling to get my seeds to germinate in the first place.

So, as a result I'm now thinking of planting something more permanent up it. Could I possibly plant some kind of fruit up it, such as a cordon or maybe even a blackberry do you think?

Here's a picture of the arch.



Any suggestions would be great

 

Is there a climbing Anemone? Then you would have an Arch Anemone

I'll get my coat ...

 

Reason your beans don't work, I reckon, is that the timer to too large a cross section. I've seen Runners grow up metal hoop arches, but the metal is no more than bamboo-cane thickness. Some netting (rigid plastic stuff I guess) on the sides would cure that.

I'd go for Clematis or Climbing (not Rambling) roses [I am certain those two are named contrary to what my dyslexic brain thinks they should be!]. The Clematis would need to be the type that you chop down to the ground each year - otherwise any true climber, like Wisteria, will get to the top and then attempt to do an Affro impression, desparately trying to find more stuff to cling-to and climb higher - which I don't think will look very nice

 

Hmmm something ornamental would be nice but I was hoping to grow something edible but at the same time permanent up it. I guess I can't really do this after all.

 

I'll second WOO's suggestion of Golden Hop , lovely plant . Web pic below of it on a trellis and one showing my hops last year. Suppose they are edible , but would taste awful !
Then you have the old faithful clematis - literally thousands to choose from.

 

Hi JJ
I have put a thornless blackberry over one of my arches. - it is a bit of a brute and I have yet to beat the birds and squirrels to the fruit - but it looks good!
I have just bought a honeyberry to try on another arch,will let you know how this gets on, atm not much happening!
You could also grow squash or nasturtiums if you want an annual crop.
Happy planning!

 

Kiwi? I think the self-fertile ones are not brilliant, but having said the folk grow them, and get crops (The varieties that need pollination have better flavour but need a greenhouse IMHO).

Grape?

 

Do you find you get suckers with your blackberries? The arch is next to my raspberries so am a bit concerned the suckers may get mixed up and then I won't know which is which.

We really don't like Kiwi

A strong contender. But I am a little put off by the idea of them being high maintenance. Although this is an assumption. I love red grapes but I think you need a lot of heat to get these grow? The arch is in a south facing garden though I should add.

Hops do look pretty and are also a strong contender. However I don't drink and I don't want Mr Jane to start getting ideas about making his own beer either.

 

You have to prune them at the right times ... but I think you can ignore them the rest of the time. You have to prune Wisteria twice a year, wire-trained Apples too ... probably lots of other things. Once you have figured out the "how" you will be able to do it in your sleep - like dead-heading. Just chalk it up as one of gardening's chores

I only have a grape in my greenhouse, so can't comment, but I assume that an outdoor variety will perform well. In a lousy summer you might get nothing ... but in a good summer all your friends will be loving you (more than they usually do! so-to-speak

 

Hi JJ
Re: Blackberry
Mine has been quite well behaved - not strayed off piste!
Being the good gardener I am not - I have long forgotten the variety!
Should be a thread for menopausal gardeners - I would probably forget to check it lol!
happy gardening