Tickey creeper/ficus/ fig creeper/kruipvy or ficus pimula This perennial, evergreen creeper climbs about 9m to 12m vertically, and 30m 2 to 40m 2 horizontally. It performs best in fertile, loamy, well-composted soil, and performs better with a little watering during spring and summer. This is quite a delicate climber, happy to climb over arches and along fences and walls. Reid favours jasminum angulare (wild jasmine), a hardy, evergreen, drought resistant climber with glossy, dark leaves – it does best in frostfree regions, and it’s happy in light shade. Confederate jasmine or star jasmine (trachelospermum jasminoides), with its beautiful dark green leaves and scented white flowers, is now available in a variegated, more low-growing variety. Star jasmine ( jasminum multipartitum) and South African jasmine ( jasminum angulare) flower intermittently throughout the year. Jasmine There are a number of different jasmine creepers, all scented and pretty, but some aren’t frost hardy, others prefer more sun. These are a few creepers and climbers which Reid suggests: Few are happy in dense shade, so if you’re keen to plant a creeper there, try to cut back trees or whatever is blocking the light, and you’re far more likely to have a healthy plant.” “The word shade isn’t quite specific enough though,” says Reid, “because some creepers will grow in light or partial shade – so, they’re shade tolerant rather than loving – but prefer partial sun. Shade-loving climbers are somewhat limited in our sun-drenched country, but there are a handful which work well. “Ideally talk to your local nursery or garden guru about your specific area and what grows best there. “You’d be well advised to understand the plant and its needs,” says Carol Reid of Garden Green.

There are numerous reasons to employ climbers or creepers, but whether you want to soften a harsh surface, create a pretty scented arch through which to walk, or design a pattern for a wall, put in some homework to prevent heartache.

WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK MARKETPLACE How does my garden grow? South Africa has a small selection of shadeloving climbers and creepers, but the few we have really cover the bases

Tickey creeper plant