loumabel Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 My WIR is not a thing of beauty and although it takes good care of my girls it does not look pretty in my garden. I would like to grow a climbing plant up the side and over the roof as I think this will give the chooks some shade in summer and pretty things up too. Are there any green fingered forum members out there who could suggest a plant that is safe for chickens and would also look attractive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 I think they'll probably eat anything at their level even growing on the run. What about window boxes or hanging baskets on the run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 We had a very nice Honeysuckle growing up the side of ours, but had to take it out as it just didn't grow very well. I actually think it had some kind of disease as the leaves went all funny, but the hens were never interested in eating it. We also planted 3 Winter Flowing Jasmines but as the stems were quite stiff they weren't easy to train up the outside and all the shoots and flowers that started growing through the wire were quickly eaten by the girls. I'm not sure what to try next but I also like to soften the edges of the run with pretty plants too. We do have a little flower border on one side of the run and we have lavender and rosemary in that and the girls haven't eaten those yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 I think if you planted them away from the base of the run, and then leaned them in above chicken-height, it would work; or if you planted clematis, say, you could protect the stems with drainpipe - they like to have shaded roots. My run has a Jackmanii clematis which has made its way there from a good two feet away. It also has my neighbour's grape vine growing over in the summer - provides a handy snack for the girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 A passionflower is a great climber and a thing of beauty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 I would say do not get a Russian Vine (not sure if that is its proper name-it has lots of small white flowers). My MIL gave me one a number of years ago and it grows at an amazing rate. It grows right along my neighbours hedge I am not sure if they know the source, but I am keeping quiet about it. It grows all over the rabbits WIR and I have to chop the tendrils before it is overgrown which can be a matter of weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seagullukuk Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 We have a clematis Montana next to our chickens. It was just out of the reach of them but is now very vigorous and has amazing flowers in summer. It was cut down to ground level once but is soo vigorous still! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 I understand Jasmine is not too good for the girls. We have just ordered a passion flower. To give it a fighting chance I have screwed a piece of acrylic sheet along that side of the run. It's about 1 metre high. If you want to try the acrylic take your time drilling and screwing, I managed to split mine in three out of 6 holes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 Clematis Armandii is a lovely plant and evergreen too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thanks for all your ideas, I have been googling them all like mad. I think I might plant a clematis and see what happens. Brilliant tip about the perspex Duncan thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Clematis Armandii is a lovely plant and evergreen too I agree, had that in my last garden. Looks good all year and has lovely flowers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
