Climbers

Climbers – Versatile, Vertical Beauties That Transform Gardens with Height, Movement, and Charm

Climbers are among the most transformative and versatile plants in the garden, offering the ability to cloak walls, fences, arches, pergolas, and obelisks with graceful foliage, abundant blooms, and often, enchanting fragrance. Whether you want to soften hard surfaces, create privacy, or add romance and drama, climbers bring a vertical dimension that few other plant groups can match. From delicate, fast-growing annuals to robust, long-lived perennials and evergreens, climbers offer something for every garden style and setting.

Why Grow Climbers?

Add Height & Drama – Climbers draw the eye upward, transforming flat spaces into layered, dynamic garden scenes full of height, depth, and seasonal movement.

Maximise Small Spaces – Perfect for compact gardens, patios, and balconies, climbers cover vertical surfaces, creating lush, living walls without taking up precious ground space.

Disguise Unsightly Features – Ideal for covering fences, sheds, old trees, or bare walls, climbers soften and beautify even the most utilitarian areas.

Extend Seasonal Interest – With climbers that flower in spring, summer, autumn, and even winter, they can deliver year-round beauty and changing textures.

Support Wildlife – Many climbers offer nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies, berries for birds, and valuable shelter for garden wildlife.

Types of Climbers

✅ Twining Climbers — These use flexible stems or leaf stalks to coil around supports. Examples: Clematis, Wisteria, Lonicera (honeysuckle), Akebia.

✅ Self-Clinging Climbers — These use aerial roots or adhesive pads to cling directly to walls or fences. Examples: Hedera helix (ivy), Parthenocissus (Virginia creeper), Hydrangea petiolaris.

✅ Scrambling Climbers — These have long, arching stems that need tying in or support to climb. Examples: Rosa (rambling roses), Jasminum nudiflorum, Pyracantha.

✅ Climbers with Tendrils — These use thin tendrils to wrap around wires, trellises, or nearby plants. Examples: Passiflora (passionflower), Sweet peas, Campsis radicans (trumpet vine).

✅ Annual Climbers — Fast-growing seasonal plants perfect for quick summer colour. Examples: Ipomoea (morning glory), Cobaea scandens (cup and saucer vine), Thunbergia alata (black-eyed Susan vine).

✅ Evergreen Climbers — Provide year-round coverage and structure. Examples: Trachelospermum jasminoides (star jasmine), Hedera helix (ivy), Holboellia.

Planting & Care Guide

Position: Choose the right plant for the right spot—sun-lovers like roses and wisteria need plenty of sun, while ivy and climbing hydrangea excel in shade.

Soil: Most climbers thrive in fertile, well-drained soil. Enrich the planting hole with compost or organic matter.

Support: Install sturdy trellises, wires, arches, or pergolas. Tie in stems gently with soft ties as they grow.

Watering: Water regularly, especially during the first year or when planted against walls where soil can be dry.

Maintenance:

• Pruning: Know your plant’s pruning group—some bloom on old wood, others on new growth. Prune accordingly to encourage flowering and control size.

• Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring to support healthy growth and abundant blooms.

• Mulching: Mulch annually to retain moisture and improve soil.

• Training: Tie in new shoots regularly to keep the plant well-shaped and supported.

Perfect Garden Uses & Combinations

Climbers are stunning trained over pergolas, arches, obelisks, or trellises. Combine Clematis with roses for a romantic display, use trachelospermum or ivy on walls for evergreen coverage, or grow wisteria over a pergola for breathtaking spring blooms. For wildlife-friendly gardens, plant honeysuckle or passionflower, and for small spaces or pots, annual climbers like sweet peas bring fast, colourful results.

🌞 Best Climbers for Sun

• Clematis viticella group – Long-flowering, easy-care, summer-blooming clematis in rich colours.

• Wisteria sinensis or floribunda – Spectacular spring to early summer display of cascading flowers.

• Rosa ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk’ or ‘Rambling Rector’ – Romantic rambling roses for arches, pergolas, or large walls.

• Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) – Evergreen with fragrant white flowers and glossy leaves.

• Passiflora caerulea (Blue Passionflower) – Exotic, fast-growing, and excellent for a sunny wall.

• Campsis radicans (Trumpet Vine) – Vibrant orange-red flowers, loves heat and full sun.

🌤️ Best Climbers for Shade or North-Facing Walls

• Hedera helix (Common Ivy) – Evergreen, self-clinging, and invaluable for covering walls.

• Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea) – Self-clinging with showy white lacecap flowers.

• Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper) – Fast-growing, brilliant autumn colour.

• Lonicera periclymenum (Honeysuckle, e.g., ‘Graham Thomas’) – Will tolerate partial shade with fragrant summer flowers.

• Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine) – Semi-evergreen, with scented purplish flowers and a light, twining habit.

🌸 Best Fragrant Climbers

• Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) – Intense, jasmine-like scent in summer.

• Lonicera periclymenum (Honeysuckle) – Classic cottage garden climber with a sweet, heady fragrance.

• Rosa ‘Madame Alfred Carrière’ or ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ – Repeat-flowering, scented climbing roses.

• Jasminum officinale (Common Jasmine) – Summer-blooming with pure white, richly scented flowers.

• Clematis armandii – Early spring blooms, almond-scented, evergreen foliage.