Solanum Album
By Telme8
Vale of Glamorgan,
Wales 
My Daughter is considering planting a Solanum Album to cover and disguise a large shipping container which she has as a tool shed and store. It would be planted on the side of the container that faces the prevailing wind so hopefully if will grow with the wind to cover the container. As it is metal will it need a net or wires over it for the solanum to climb up or will it naturally go up and over?
In your opinion would solaum be a better bet than mile a minute for this task if so would 1 plant be sufficient. She intends planting 1 or 2 shrubs this side to pretty it up a bit.
10 Aug, 2009
Answers
I agree with all said above.
To be honest, once wires or trellis were placed on the structure, there would be a whole plethora of things that would look great hiding this, including the Russian vine though one plant would cover this!
If I was you, I would make a border in front and plant a mixture of climbers and free standing large growing shrubs to hide it. Ceanothus arboreus 'Trewithen Blue' would look great as a starter.
10 Aug, 2009
Maybe also Clematis montana? Pink and white varieties and a nice interesting tangle of stems in the winter.
10 Aug, 2009
I have solanum album on a west facing fence too except mine gets a far bit of wind but it,s only been in for about 3 month and is about 7feet now. not sure how it will go with the icy winter wind though.
10 Aug, 2009
I think mine is actually more south facing than west, when I think about it - it gets the sun (!) all day.
I agree - the cold wind will hit it hard.
10 Aug, 2009
The metal might get too hot in summer (ha ha!) and very cold in winter, so trellis/twiggy structure in front would be a good idea.
10 Aug, 2009
I am a little concerned about this, Telme, as this Solanum needs a sheltered site to survive. Andrewr lost his last winter, while mine is fine facing west in a sheltered area.
Having said all that, yes, it needs a support to climb on - it winds its stems and leaves strongly round the trellis I have, and also hangs on to any plant that it touches!!!
If it's happy, it puts on a lot of growth in one season - so good luck!
10 Aug, 2009