28-06-2025
How do I grow a climber on my house?
I want to start growing a climber over the back of my 1890s end-of-terrace house. Do you have any tips for choosing one that doesn't need too much attention? I'm leaning towards a wisteria or a Virginia creeper. What do I need to know? Any tips for when to plant, how to prune and so on? Also, I'm a tad worried that planting a climber close to a house could cause damage to the property. Is this something I should be concerned about?
Jennifer Way, London
Climbers fall into two camps: 'self-clingers' that stick like Spider-Man to walls, and 'scramblers' that require the support of wires, trellis or a tree to clamber skywards. The latter is the only choice if your bricks and mortar are crumbly — scramblers will clad, not cling, to a wall's surface.
Wires, held proud of the wall on loop-head screws (commonly known as vine eyes) are the most economical and least visible supports. Space 45cm apart across the scrambling chocolate vine (Akebia quinata), for example — its summer flowers have a vanilla aroma. Or passion flower can be planted at the base and left to it.
If you're prepared to prune twice a year and wait a few seasons, wisteria will bring bags of cottage garden charm. There are lots of excellent varieties including whites and pinks but if it's a classic violet you're after, strongly scented 'Amethyst' is excellent. Always buy wisteria labelled as 'grafted' because these plants come into bloom more quickly and have better flowers than cheaper seed-grown equivalents.
If your wall is sound, self-clingers like trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) will add a tropical touch and zingy orange summer flowers. Hydrangea seemannii is classy and cool with white blooms and large lustrous leaves that stay evergreen in most city gardens. Unless you're good on a ladder avoid Virginia creeper and Boston ivy, which will be over your roof if left unchecked.
You can plant climbers now provided you keep the soil well-watered through summer. They won't damage foundations or the wall provided you plant 60cm away from the wall with the top angled towards the brickwork.
Toby Buckland, presenter of Gardeners' World,
Woman dusting heating radiator with a duster at home, copy space
GETTY
I'm spring-cleaning. What's the best way to get the dust out from behind a radiator?
DB
Wrap a cloth in rough gathers around a bamboo stick and either tie or tape it in place. Then work gently up and down and sideways against the wall and radiator. A feather duster or nozzle attachment of a vacuum cleaner might be sufficient.
Rosemary Morton Jack, Oxfordshire
Long narrow brushes do the job. You can find them at Lakeland.
Hannah Colton, London
I found the best way is to use a hairdryer to blow air at the highest speed from the top of the radiator downwards. Then just vacuum the embarrassingly large amount of dust that comes out of the bottom.
Anne Duncan
I bought shisha pipe cleaners in the Middle East for this. They work brilliantly. In the UK, try or other online suppliers.
Sarah T
What is the best dog hair vacuum cleaner? My old one is kaput. Advice please.
KB
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