This plant comes with a warning – only plant it if you really like it and have enough room to cope with its speed of growth. Russian vine must be one of the fastest growing garden plants, ever, and its alternative name of the Mile a Minute plant is given with good reason. The shoots will often grow 15ft (4.5m) or more in a single season and, given the chance, can smother the tallest of trees.

Russian vine is quite a sight when it is in flower. It is an ideal plant for covering an eyesore building quickly and it can transform an unattractive fence into a ‘hedge’. It is not a self-clinging plant, but the shoots have a twining effect that gives them sufficient support where there is something to grasp. When grown against a smooth surface, wires or a trellis must be added to form the required supports.

The plant is covered in light green, heart-shaped leaves for most of their growing season. During the autumn, they change to a golden brown. Just before autumn begins, the whole plant will erupt in a froth of white flowers that give off a sweet scent.

Russian vine can be planted out any time between autumn and spring, as long as the weather and ground are not too cold or wet. If planting against a wall, place it at least 12in (30cm) away from the base. Plants will grow well in full sun or light shade though those grown in full sun will produce the most flowers. It is a completely hardy plant and does not require any protection during the winter.

Fallopia baldshuanica needs no pruning other than that to keep it within bounds. It may need tying in if you want to keep it tidy and, as it has a tendency to catch the wind, any supports used should be strong and firm.

Growing Requirements

Soil
This climber will grow in any type of garden soil, but will do best in soils that have been improved with organic material.

Size
Russian vine can rapidly grow to 60ft (18m) in all directions. You have been warned!

Propagation
Fallopia baldshuanica is best propagated by taking cuttings during the summer.

Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Fallopia

Hops are normally associated with commercial growing for beer making but they are also grown in many gardens as attractive climbing plants. The most popular is the golden hop, Humulus lupulus aureus that has attractive golden-green leaves.

Humulus lupulus is an easy-to-grow, hardy, native climber with lobed leaves that bear clusters of fragrant, green female flowers from July to September. Make sure you buy a female plant, as male and females grow on separate plants. The leaves on the main stem are around 4 to 5in (10-15cm) long.

Plant out in spring to the same depth as it was in its pot. It may be a bit slow to get started, taking two or more years to reach its full potential. Once settled, it will set out from the ground each spring, and by midsummer will have put on 15ft (4.5m) or more of leafy growth. These plants prefer a deep, well-fed soil and don’t like to become too dry. Keep them watered in excessively dry periods.

Hops have very rough stems and leaves, which can cause painful weals, so avoid pushing through or against the plant unless your skin is covered.

Growing Requirements

Position
Although hops will accept a little light shade, they’re best to grown in full sun, especially the golden variety, as the golden colour of the foliage will turn green. They can be planted in various positions; against walls, draped over a fence or through an old shrub or tree. A tripod of poles makes an ideal support in a border setting.

Size
Hops will grow to around 20ft (6m) and spread 13ft (4m).

Propagation
Hops can be increased by taking runners that arise from the crown just below the soil surface or by dividing the roots in the spring.

Family: Cannabaceae
Genus: Humulus

Virginia creeper is a North American plant, grown for its stunning autumn colour. It is one of the most vigorous growing of the Parthenocissus genus. It climbs by means of tiny adhesive pads and such is the weight of a mature plant, it is not recommended for use on rendered walls. It is an excellent plant for covering outbuildings or large pergolas and can even be used as a ground cover plant.

It has leaves with five oval, toothed leaflets that turn to crimson, orange and red in autumn. The tiny, yellowish blooms appear in spring and may be followed by small blue-black fruits. For the best autumn colour, plant against an east or west-facing wall, where the plant will appreciate the partial shade.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia will grow well in most free-draining soils. Incorporate extra organic matter, such as well-rotted manure, to help with moisture retention enabling the plant to survive in drier conditions.

Growing Requirements

Position
Virginia creeper is tolerant of all weather, but the autumn foliage falls easily, so keeping the plant out of strong winds will give a longer autumn display. If planted on a windy site, young plants may need wall ties until they are established and fully adhered to the wall.

Size
It can reach 50ft (15m) and will cover a wall or outbuilding or climb into the tops of trees.

Propagation
The easiest way to propagate is from stem cuttings. Cut off a 5in (12.5cm) length of new growth, strip the leaves off near the cut end and dip it into hormone rooting powder. Place the cutting in a shallow pot of moistened sand or perlite and, in around 10 days, thin, fibrous roots will appear. When these roots are an inch or so long, plant the cuttings in pots, or outdoors.

Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Parthenocissus

Ornamental garden plants can be broken down into several different groups. Some of the groups overlap, for example, most trees and shrubs will also fall into the perennial group.

Trees
Trees are usually the largest and most prominent plants in a garden and form the backdrop that will influence the selection of other plants. Trees are perennial, usually having a single woody stem, and may be evergreen or deciduous. They are found in most parts of the world and so there is a huge variety of ornamental trees and plenty of choice for most types of garden.

Shrubs
Shrubs are woody-stemmed perennial plants, usually free-branching from the base rather than the single stem of a tree. As with trees, shrubs can be deciduous or evergreen, but they have a breathtaking variety of ornamental features such as shape, growing habits, striking flowers, eye-catching fruit and beautiful foliage.

Climbers
Climbing plants use other plants, rocks or man-made structures for support. These valuable deciduous or evergreen plants can be used to cover-up wall or fences or to provide ornamental screening. Some will have a self-clinging or twining habit whilst others will require ties or some sort of additional support.

Perennials
Perennials are plants that live for two years or longer and they will flower once they are mature. The term is most commonly used to describe garden plants that die back each year after flowering and seeding, issuing new growth in the spring. They can be grown in herbaceous borders, as specimen plants or in containers.

Rock Plants
Rock plants are a mixture of shrubs, bulbs and hardy perennials originating from mountainous regions. They grow on or among rocks and are suitable for a rock gardens. Rock plants are adapted to growing in thin, well-drained soil and at altitude. They can survive temperature extremes but not excessive wet conditions. Alpines are included in this group.

Annuals and Biennials
An annual plant is, as the name suggests, one with a lifespan of within one year. A biennial will normally only sport foliage in its first year, going on to flower, set seed and die the following year. These plants are free-flowering and are easy to grow from seed. They can be used as bedding plants, grown in containers or hanging baskets, or used amongst shrubs and perennials.

Bulbous Plants
Bulbous plants, more commonly know as bulbs, are grown chiefly for their beautiful flowers. They originate from all parts of the world and this group also covers plants with tubers, corms and rhizomes. Bulbs usually have a long dormant period that is often spent underground. Some bulbs can provide an early splash of colour in spring, some thrive in borders whilst others make great container plants.