Among the knotweeds, the creeping knotweed (Polygonum aubertii or Fallopia aubertii) is a true champion among climbing plants. Within a very short time, the plant reaches heights of between eight and twelve meters.
Although knotweed grows extremely fast, it sheds its green foliage in late autumn
Knotweed is deciduous
Although the knotweed is a perennial - and very persistent - plant, it is not evergreen. However, the knotweed sheds its foliage quite late - given sufficient sunshine and, more importantly, adequate water supply, the climber will keep its foliage well into November.
Climbing plants need help climbing
The knotweed belongs to the climbing plants. The plant does not have adhesive roots with which it could attach itself to the various substrates. Instead, she winds her shoots around all available climbing aids - including pipes, gutters and the like. The shoots can be so strong that the climbing aid can be destroyed by the plant. A trellis is particularly suitable for knotweed, as it allows the direction of growth of this plant to be steered to some extent in the desired direction.
Evergreen climbing plants for the garden
In the table below you will find evergreen alternatives to the deciduous knotweed. However, the ivy is the only really evergreen climbing plant - the others are either not really evergreen (e.g. only shed the old leaves in spring) or do not belong to the climbing plants. However, with the right support, creeping medlar, creeping spindle and firethorn can certainly be cultivated as climbing plants.
| kind | Latin designation | leaves | bloom / flowering time | growth height | hardiness | special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ivy | Hedera helix | dark green | nondescript | mostly 150 - 200 cm | Yes | only "real" evergreen climbing plant |
| Honeysuckle | Lonicera henryi | dark green | yellow-red / June to July | 350 - 450 cm | Yes | deciduous in spring |
| Evergreen clematis | Clematis armandii | dark green | white / March to May | 300-500cm | small amount | also for conservatories |
| creep spindle | Euonymus fortunei | dark green / reddish autumn colour | greenish-yellow, inconspicuous / May to June | 60-100cm | Yes | climbing variety 'Vegetus' |
| creeping medlar | Cotoneaster dammeri | dark green / autumn colour | white / May to June | 100-150cm | Yes | Red fruits |
| Firethorn | Pyracantha coccinea | medium green | white / May to June | 200-300cm | moderate | bright red fruit decoration |
tips and tricks
When choosing the climbing plant, pay attention to the preferred location of the same. Knotweed grows almost everywhere, but clematis, for example, prefers cool "feet".