Purusing Vertical Ascents: Exploration of Plant Species Capable of Scaling Structures
Transforming a small garden can be achieved with the Strategic Use of Climbing Plants. These flora species can adorn bare walls, fences, pergolas, obelisks, and garden arches, adding vertical interest and height to planting schemes.
Climbing plants offer various benefits beyond aesthetics. Many species boast vibrant, sweetly scented blossoms and attractive foliage, which provide essential resources for wildlife. They introduce flowers, leaves, shelter, and berries to seemingly barren spaces within a garden.
These ascending plants can be categorized into three groups: climbing and rambling roses, pyracantha, and self-clinging climbers such as ivy and climbing hydrangea. The former two require initial training and tying in, while the latter group needs no support as they can support themselves.
For gardeners with limited space, there are suitable climbers that thrive in pots, providing a sense of expansion. When selecting climbing plants, consider factors like the garden's orientation (sunny or shady walls), desired aesthetic (flowering or foliage-focused plants), and preferences for wildlife-friendly options.
Some popular climbing plants include various Clematis varieties, like 'Innocent Blush' and 'Sally'. These beauties create impressive flower displays along trellises and other supports. Passion flowers, black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata), and Bougainvillea are also worthy additions.
The Passion flower (Passiflora) is particularly attractive, featuring bee-friendly blooms with an exotic appearance and plump orange fruits that extend its appeal. Honeysuckle (Lonicera) is another ideal choice for climbers, providing shelter for insects, birds, and nectar for pollinators.
When it comes to climbing and rambling roses, some varieties are better suited for wildlife, offering cover and shelter to a wide range of creatures. Choosing single, open-flowered varieties can yield nectar, pollen for pollinators, and hips for birds. The variety 'Lady of the Lake' is a great option, capable of growing on a pergola in partial shade and flowering regularly throughout the summer.
For those seeking evergreen color, Potato vines (Solanum laxum and Solanum crispum) can deliver, offering clusters of summer blooms in sunny, sheltered spots.
Climbing plants are perfect for enhancing outdoor spaces such as kitchen areas or for covering unsightly walls and fences. However, it's essential to learn the proper techniques for planting, training, and pruning climbers to achieve the desired results. Browse our list of the best climbers to grow and follow our tips for successful cultivation.
Sources:[1] RHS (2021). Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig). Retrieved from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/92150/Ficus-pumila/Details
[2] BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine (2017). Small Gardens: 38 Best Climbers for Shady or Sunny Walls. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/gardenersworld/plants/small-gardens-best-climbers
[3] Royal Horticultural Society (n.d.). Clematis. Retrieved from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/Category/Plant-Type/Clematis
[4] The Guardian (2020). Best climbers for a small garden. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/2020/may/27/best-climbers-for-a-small-garden
Clematis 'Innocent Blush' and 'Sally'
Clematis 'Innocent Blush' is an excellent choice for trellises and other supports, offering light pink single and semi-double flowers from May to July. Prune after flowering, and it should bloom again in late summer. Reach a height of approximately 2 meters.
Obtain Clematis 'Innocent Blush' from Thorncroft Clematis: [Link]
Clematis 'Sally' performs exceptionally well on a south-facing wall, producing masses of deep pink flowers from late spring until late autumn. This variety's pink blossoms deepen in strong sunlight. Height: 1.5 meters.
Purchase Clematis 'Sally' from Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Climbing and Rambling Roses
Climbing and rambling roses are perfect for training up a trellis or pergola. Some varieties are better suited for wildlife, providing cover, shelter, and food for creatures such as nesting birds. Choose single, open-flowered roses for nectar and pollen for pollinators, hips for birds, and leaves for caterpillars.
Consider rose 'Lady of the Lake', which grows well on a pergola in partial shade. It features long, flexible stems with pretty, semi-double flowers of a delicate blush pink color. Unlike many rambling roses, it flowers regularly throughout the summer.
Height: 3.5 meters or more.
Acquire Rosa 'Lady of the Lake' from David Austin Roses: [Link]
Find other rambling roses at David Austin Roses: [Link]
Passion Flower
Passion flowers (Passiflora) are bee-friendly, featuring exotic-looking blooms. These plants provide general shelter for insects and birds, along with nectar for some pollinators. Grow best in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. The 'Constance Elliot' variety is a hardy passion flower, bearing large, scented, ivory-white flowers from May to November, followed by edible orange fruit. It will flourish in semi-shade and can be grown outdoors or in a cold conservatory.
Height: up to 2.75 meters.
Buy Passiflora 'Constance Elliot' from Primrose: [Link]
Black-Eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata)
Black-eyed Susan, Thunbergia alata, is a vigorous annual climber, bearing large flowers and dense foliage. The black-centered flowers are typically orange-red but can be yellow as well, depending on the variety. Flowers from May to October.
Height: 1.5 meters.
Buy Black-eyed Susan from Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Trachelospermum asiaticum
Trachelospermum asiaticum is a vigorous twining climber boasting small green leathery foliage that turns a rusty red color in winter. Flowers appear from April to early August. Although not reliably hardy, provide winter protection in northern and exposed regions, or grow it as a conservatory plant.
Height: up to 3 meters.
Buy Trachelospermum asiaticum from Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a tender, compact, upright, evergreen shrub with thornless stems and colorful flower-like bracts. It's best grown in pots so it can be brought indoors for winter. It can be placed outside after frost, usually around the end of May. Flowers from May to August.
Height: 1.2 meters.
Buy Bougainvillea from Crocus: [Link]
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckles (Lonicera) are ideal plants for pergolas, trellis, and other support structures. Our native honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum, is one of the best climbers for wildlife, providing shelter for nesting birds, nectar for pollinators (including moths), leaves for caterpillars of the 20-plume moth, and berries for birds. For more colorful flowers, explore cultivars like 'Serotina' or 'Mandarin'.
Height: 3 meters.
Buy honeysuckles from Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Potato Vine (Solanum laxum and Solanum crispum)
If you're after evergreen color, consider the potato vines Solanum laxum and Solanum crispum. Both grow best in a sunny, sheltered spot, where they'll produce clusters of summer blooms. The varieties 'Glasnevin' and 'Album' have been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Height: up to 8 meters.
Buy Solanum laxum 'Album' from Thompson & Morgan: [Link]Buy Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' from Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Grapevines
Grapevines usually fruit from midsummer to early autumn. By growing them up a pergola, you can enjoy the pendulous fruits hanging down from the canopy. Provides a good, dense canopy for shade.
Buy grapevines from Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Wisteria
Wisteria is a large, vigorous climber, ideal for growing up a pergola or covering the side of a house. Both Chinese and Japanese wisterias bear fragrant, pendulous flowers in May and June. The leafy canopy is excellent for providing shade.
Height: 10 meters.
Buy wisterias at Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Trumpet Vine (Campsis)
For a taste of the exotic, look no further than the trumpet vine (Campsis). In summer and autumn, it produces a profusion of showy blooms in rich reds and oranges. Best grown in full sun or partial shade, in moist, well-drained soil.
Height: up to 12 meters.
Buy trumpet vines at Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Crimson Glory Vine (Vitis coignetiae)
The crimson glory vine (Vitis coignetiae) is so named for its fantastic autumn color. It's a large, vigorous climber that can easily cover a pergola, producing a lush, leafy canopy.
Height: up to 15 meters.
Buy crimson glory vine at Crocus: [Link]
Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Traditionally used for making beer, hops (Humulus lupulus) make the perfect climber for wildlife, providing shelter for insects and food for caterpillars, including the comma butterfly.
Height: up to 6 meters.
Buy hops from Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Ivy (Hedera helix) is a stunning evergreen climber, one of the best for wildlife. It provides long-lasting, evergreen cover, housing nesting birds and hibernating insects, nectar for pollinators, berries for birds, and leaves for caterpillars (including the holly blue butterfly).
Height: up to 10 meters.
Buy ivy from Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Clematis tangutica
When established, cultivars of Clematis tangutica, including 'Bill MacKenzie', provide nesting shelter for a variety of birds and other species. It also offers nectar and pollen for bees, followed by wispy seedheads in autumn. If you leave the seedheads in place, birds will take the material to use in their nests in spring.
Height: up to 4 meters.
Buy Clematis 'Bill Mackenzie' from Gardening Express: [Link]
Climbing Hydrangea
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris is a popular climber. Like all climbers, it provides shelter for a variety of different species, including nesting birds. It's tolerant of shade and is therefore useful for growing up a north-facing wall. However, if you grow it on a south-facing wall, its flowers are a magnet for hoverflies and other insects.
Height: up to 10 meters.
Buy climbing hydrangea from Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Pyracantha
Pyracantha flowers in spring and bears fruit in autumn, providing two seasons of color and interest.
Height: up to 3 meters.
Buy pyracanthas at Thompson & Morgan: [Link]
Training a Climbing Plant
Support with wires
Give climbers support by fixing horizontal wires, 45 centimeters apart, to your fence or wall. Space the vine eyes 1.8 meters apart horizontally, then run wire through them. Secure the ends by looping through the eye and wrapping around the shank. You can tighten the wire using a pair of pliers to turn the end of the vine eye. If the climber cannot grip by itself, tie its stems into the wires, keeping the twine loose to accommodate growth.
Get the plant off to a good start
Before planting, immerse the climber in water to soak the rootball thoroughly. Then dig a large planting hole at least 45 centimeters from the base of your wall or fence. Add plenty of garden compost to retain moisture in the soil, as this location is often very dry. When planting, tilt the climber at a 45-degree angle to point it in the direction you want it to grow.
Grow climbers up other plants
Growing climbers up other plants is a great way to add an extra season of interest to trees, spring-flowering shrubs, and evergreens. Climbers always head toward sunlight, so the trick when training them is always to plant them on the shady, north side of your living support. Suitable climbers include Clematis 'Minuet', which will scramble through low-growing to medium shrubs, and Rosa 'Paul's Himalayan Musk', a rambler rose that will clamber into trees.
Training wall shrubs
To clad a wall with a shrub such as ceanothus, set up series of horizontal wires, as above. Tie in the main shoot vertically, then fan out the side branches and tie in too. After flowering, remove any branches growing out from the wall, and tie in other shoots to fill any gaps. After the first two years, trim all flowered shoots to 10-15 centimeters.
Show off berries
If you avoid pruning a wall-trained pyracantha, its vibrant berries will be hidden under new foliage by the time they ripen. First, cut back any excess growth in spring to keep its shape against the wall. Then, in late summer, snip the new growth back to just beyond the berries so they stand out against a leafy background.
Home-and-garden enthusiasts may find the strategic use of climbing plants an opportunity to enhance their living spaces, both aesthetically and ecologically. Beyond their decorative function, climbers like Clematis 'Innocent Blush' and 'Sally' offer vertical interest and height, providing resources for wildlife by introducing flowers, leaves, shelter, and berries to seemingly barren spaces within gardens.
Those seeking to create a wildlife-friendly home-and-garden lifestyle might consider popular choices such as the Passion Flower, Honeysuckle, or Clematis varieties, each boasting unique benefits for various creatures. The Passion flower, for instance, attracts bees with its bee-friendly blooms and offers edible orange fruits, while Honeysuckle provides shelter for nesting birds and nectar for pollinators.
In incorporating climbers into home-and-garden design, it's essential to carefully select species based on factors such as the garden's orientation, desired aesthetic, and wildlife preferences. By adopting a mindful approach to planting, training, and pruning these vertical flora, homeowners can achieve their desired outcomes while nurturing the ecosystem within their living spaces.
