Among the knotweeds, the creeping knotweed (Polygonum aubertii or Fallopia aubertii) is a true master among climbing plants. Within a very short time, the plant reaches heights of between eight and twelve meters.
Is knotweed an evergreen plant?
The creeping knotweed (Polygonum aubertii) is not evergreen, but sheds its leaves in autumn. Ivy (Hedera helix), honeysuckle (Lonicera henryi) and creeping spindle (Euonymus fortunei) are ideal evergreen alternatives for the garden.
Knotweed is deciduous
The creeping knotweed is a perennial - and very persistent - plant, but it is not evergreen. However, the knotweed only sheds its leaves quite late - with sufficient sunshine and, more importantly, sufficient water supply, the climbing plant retains its leaves well into November.
Climbing plants need climbing help
The knotweed is a climbing plant. The plant does not have adhesive roots with which it could hold on to various substrates. Instead, it wraps its 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 growth direction of this plant to be steered in the desired direction.
Evergreen climbing plants for the garden
In the table below you will find evergreen alternatives to deciduous knotweed. However, ivy is the only truly evergreen climbing plant - the others are either not really evergreen (for example, they only shed their old leaves in spring) or are not climbing plants. However, with the appropriate support, cotoneaster, creeping cotoneaster and firethorn can certainly be trained into climbing plants.
| Art | Latin name | Leaves | Bloom / flowering time | Growth height | Winter hardiness | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy | Hedera helix | dark green | inconspicuous | 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 – 500 cm | low | also for winter garden |
| Creeping spindle | Euonymus fortunei | dark green / reddish autumn color | greenish-yellow, inconspicuous / May to June | 60 – 100 cm | yes | climbing variety 'Vegetus' |
| Cotoneaster | Cotoneaster dammeri | dark green / autumn colors | white / May to June | 100 – 150 cm | yes | red fruits |
| Firethorn | Pyracantha coccinea | medium green | white / May to June | 200 – 300 cm | moderate | bright red fruit decoration |
Tips & Tricks
When choosing the climbing plant, pay attention to its preferred location. Knotweed grows almost everywhere, but clematis, for example, prefers cool “feet”.
