If you want a quick summer solution try something like morning glory or one of the other climbing annuals

Thanks Steve...but...

I'm really looking for something perennial...the filter bed is really an eyesore and annuals just take too long to get going.

On top of that, hubby has taken 5 year contract in Africa (I'm only going for the winter months!), so have to have something already stirring when I get back...really need it in the ground this season....

...not ideal, I know, but someone will look after whilst I'm away...

...you got any more ideas?...there's got to be something!!

Climbing hydrangeas cling, would that be any good ?

yes, they'd be lovely....but, unfortunately, they don't like full sun...:(

..I'm sort of looking for...something which will look like...a thin plant wall...which thrives in full sun...

...perhaps it doesn't exist...but I don't really believe that...!

Clematis like their roots in shade and their heads in sun. Caroline Jasmine is a fast growing evergreen climber with twining tendrils and yellow trumpet flowers in spring it prefers full sun. Passiflora caerulea - blue.You might find these worth looking at

Eccremocarpus scaber?
Mine was evergreen even through that last winter, and grows like there's no tomorrow!

http://www.growsonyou.com/meanie/photos/eccremocarpus

Thx, Drc!

Have had varying results with passiflora - but will look at Caroline Jasmine...is it vigorous?

It says fast growing on the info I have KF. I wonder if you would be happier with a climber growing through another?

Drc...I don't mind how many I have to plant...and I like that plant through plant thing...what do you suggest?

Hi Meanie! ...no knowledge of your suggestion!...can you tell me more, please?

A climbing rose can work well with a Clematis, I thought about you planting two climbers near the base such as a strong-growing climbing rose with perhaps a less vigorous clematis or honeysuckle, the rose will provide support for the other climber to cling to. But it depends where you are in France possibly? I was rather hoping Bamboo would see your question as It sounds like her thing?

Cut and paste the link in my original answer for more on E.scaber.
It has a long flowering season, mine was in bloom at the beginning of April this year.

The link below shows what can be done with Jasmine over a number of years........

http://www.growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/156149-jasmine-arch/member/meanie

Thank you, Meanie-your pictures are wonderful! I've seen Chilean Glory Flowers in the larger GCs here...but, I always considered them to be annuals and, as so, a little expensive. However, from what you say, there's a good chance that it would last here.

Thanks too, Drc, I like your ideas too...

...a special trip to the big city required to see which of them I can find...

...just one more thought though...would I need more than one of each plant (whichever suggestion I can find)?

Depends on the area and how fast that you want it covered really.....
The Jasmine arch was one plant.

Area is around...2m(high)x5/6m(long)....it's quite big.

what do you think...?

Ultimately, two plants would be enough.
How cold do you get over the winter?
There is an early flowering Clematis that would look quite good with this (maybe cirrhosa Drc?), but I'm not really into Clematis so tend to stay quiet on them.
If it was mine, I would have to make room for this somehow too.......

http://www.growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/199780-lathyrus-sativus-azureus/member/meanie

Plus a Jasmine for the arch maybe?

Hi Meanie,... we can get very cold... -14 for days on end...but, the roots would be fairly sheltered....and our winter is much shorter than in the UK.....and have found that other plants, not expected to manage, can still flourish here...

....am going to go for it, if I can find them x 2!

Thanks!

An absolute doddle from seed Karen!