Climbing Plants

More About Climbing Plants

Choosing the Best Climbing Plants for Your Space

Start by thinking about where your climber will grow. South-facing walls suit sun-loving climbing flowers such as wisteria, passionflower and many fragrant roses. If you’re working with dappled light or deeper shade, hydrangea petiolaris, ivy and shade-tolerant clematis are excellent performers.
If you want all-season structure, evergreen climbing plants such as star jasmine offer glossy foliage, summer scent and a tidy habit. For a fast lift of colour, many clematis varieties cover trellis quickly with minimal maintenance. If you’re designing a wildlife-friendly garden, scented honeysuckle and jasmine draw in bees and moths through the warmer months.
Different climbers offer different growth habits too. Twining stems suit pergolas and arches, while self-clinging species readily attach to walls without support. For small gardens or container planting, look for compact varieties that stay manageable while still flowering generously. If you want something bold, try a purple climbing plant such as certain clematis hybrids for a dramatic vertical accent.

How to Grow and Care for Climbing Plants

Most hardy climbing plants are surprisingly easy to establish. Prepare the soil well, plant slightly away from the wall to avoid the rain shadow, and angle the plant towards its support. Water consistently in the first year to help the roots settle.
Once established, most climbers are fairly low maintenance. Tie in new shoots to encourage even coverage, prune lightly according to variety and apply an annual mulch to help retain moisture. Many climbing plants grown in the UK respond well to a simple yearly trim to keep them flowering strongly. Evergreen plants in containers appreciate occasional feeding during spring and summer to support fresh growth.

Inspiration for Using Climbers in the Garden

Climbers can completely reshape the look and feel of a garden. Use them to soften fence lines, cloak a shed, frame a doorway or create a romantic archway over a path. Combine contrasting varieties for extended flowering, such as pairing star jasmine with summer-flowering clematis for both evergreen structure and eye-catching seasonal colour.
For an informal cottage garden design, honeysuckle and rambler roses create relaxed, traditional charm. More contemporary gardens benefit from sleek evergreen foliage, such as Trachelospermum jasminoides, which offers both structure and polish. While pergolas look spectacular when clothed in wisteria or grape vines, and small gardens gain height and interest without sacrificing ground space.