If you’re looking to add vertical interest and lush greenery to your garden, climbing plants are your best bet. Trellises provide the perfect structure for these plants to ascend, creating a stunning visual display while saving precious ground space.Trellises add a vertical dimension to your garden, creating visual interest and breaking up the monotony of horizontal planting beds. They can serve as focal points, drawing the eye upward and adding height and structure to your garden design.
When densely covered with climbing plants, trellises can act as natural screens, providing privacy from neighbors and creating secluded garden areas. They can also offer shade to other parts of your garden or patio, creating cooler, more comfortable outdoor living spaces.
Lets talk about the climbing plants for trellises in this article.
Best Climbing Plants for Trellises
1. Climbing Hydrangea
Though climbing hydrangeas are self-clinging, they usually need a little encouragement at the start, much like any budding star. Imagine tying in the new shoots as a gentle nudge, guiding them until they form their aerial roots and become self-sufficient. It’s essential to give these future giants a sturdy support, such as wires or a trellis, right from the beginning.
Among the most popular and well-known of these flowering vines is the Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris. While it may start off slow, this vigorous climber will soon reward your patience by covering outbuildings or adding a splash of greenery to shady house walls.
It’s like the Virginia Creeper of the hydrangea world, providing lush foliage and vibrant beauty. And if you’re choosing climbing plants, don’t forget the potential of combining these with climbing roses or sweet peas for a truly spectacular display.
2. Arctic Kiwi
This enthusiastic climber loves to stretch its leafy limbs on strong trellises, fences, pergolas, and any other sturdy structures you can provide. The hardy kiwi vine should be planted in the spring, after the frost has bid adieu. While it will make a bold visual statement in its first season, you’ll need to channel your inner gardener’s patience and wait at least three years for fruit production. But trust us, the wait is worth it for those delicious, home-grown kiwis!
If you have a solid trellis, a bit of a gambler’s spirit, and a passion for kiwifruit, there’s no reason not to give this tropical plant a try. But be warned—these vigorous vines won’t just sit pretty.
Pair your hardy kiwi with other charming climbers like a trumpet vine with its trumpet-shaped flowers, or the fragrant sweet scent of a climbing rose. And if you’re feeling adventurous, mix in some annual vines like morning glory for a seasonal splash.
3. Bougainvillea
Bougainvilleas are like the ambitious overachievers of the plant world—if you don’t give them support, they’ll happily spread out as groundcover. Since these twining vines don’t have the fancy tendrils to latch onto walls, you’ll need to lend a helping hand (or some ties). You can train these colorful characters on a trellis, over an arbor, along a fence, or any structure you fancy.
These fast-growing beauties are like the perpetual party planners of the garden, blooming all year-round in the tropics and subtropics. With their rapid growth, untrained bougainvilleas can be quite the spectacle, climbing up and through other plants and reaching up to 30 meters.
To keep your bougainvilleas happy, plant them in well-drained soil and give them plenty of sun—they thrive in bright conditions but can handle a bit of shade.
4. Blue Moon Kentucky Wisteria
Wisterias are the daredevils of the plant world, scaling new heights of over 10 meters (33 feet) in both height and width. These hardy, vigorous climbers are the perfect addition to any garden that can offer plenty of support.
Feeling adventurous? Train it up a tree or a support to form a majestic standard.
One of the standout varieties, the Blue Moon Wisteria, showcases just how dynamic this plant can be. While it typically takes 1-2 years to establish, once settled, it’s a vigorous grower, especially when basking in full sun. During this time, it climbs with impressive speed, offering tips of delicate, fragrant blooms that will draw in pollinators like hummingbirds and even jasmine-scented breezes.
Wisteria isn’t just a spring fling; it offers plenty of seasonal charm, including stunning autumn hues. Whether you’re looking to create a tropical paradise or add a touch of classic elegance, wisteria is a versatile and stunning choice.
5. Black-Eyed Susan Vine
The Black-eyed Susan vine is like the multitasking superstar of your garden, adding vertical splashes of orange to trellises while also being a favorite for hanging baskets and window boxes, especially in regions where it’s grown as an annual. In zones where it’s a perennial, this vine can transform porches and fences, growing quickly to cover small structures with ease.
This versatile vine doesn’t just stop at being eye-catching—it plays well with others too. Try pairing it with other vigorous climbers like morning glory or purple hyacinth bean for a stunning, dynamic display. And if you have room, bougainvillea and passionflower make excellent companions, adding even more vibrancy and attracting bees to your garden.
Don’t forget, some occasional trimming will keep your plant looking its best and prevent it from taking over too much. With its rapid growth and vibrant blooms, this vine is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to add a pop of color and a touch of nature’s charm to their garden.
6. American Beauty Rose
Climbing roses are the divas of the garden, requiring a bit of pampering to show off their spectacular blooms. These gorgeous plants need a sturdy support, such as a trellis, arbor, pergola, or fence, and plenty of room to stretch their leafy limbs and bask in good airflow to stay healthy. Unlike vines, they can’t climb on their own and need a little help from their gardening friends.
When setting up your rose haven, make sure your trellis is up to the task. It should be robust enough to handle the growing rose canes and the plant’s weight, which can reach up to 20 feet tall. Choose your materials wisely—wood and welded metal are the top contenders, as they can withstand the strain of these ambitious climbers. A small trellis just won’t cut it for these beauties; they need space to shine and show off their full potential.
7. Chocolate Vine
The Chocolate Vine, also known as Akebia quinata, is a delightful addition to any garden, especially when grown on trellises. This enchanting climber is known for its rapid growth and can reach up to 10 feet tall in no time, making it perfect for adding vertical interest to your outdoor space.
It thrives in part shade, making it versatile for different garden spots where other plants might struggle. This climber prefers well-drained soil and can adapt to various conditions, ensuring it grows quickly and healthily. In late summer, it rewards gardeners with beautiful, fragrant flowers that attract bees, adding a touch of wildlife to your garden.
When growing it, provide sturdy support such as a trellis, as this plant can become quite vigorous. Regular pruning may be necessary to keep it in check and ensure it doesn’t overwhelm nearby plants.
8. Apple Blossom Clematis
Clematis ‘Apple Blossom’ is the star of early to mid-spring, bursting into a profusion of blooms that will make your garden sing with color. This vigorous, quick-growing flowering vine is perfect for covering trellises, fences, or walls. It’s a climbing plant that can reach several feet tall, transforming any vertical space into a floral masterpiece.
This charming clematis loves to have its roots cool and moist, thriving best in well-drained soil. Choose a sheltered spot away from cold winds and give it the sun-soaked love of a south-facing wall or fence. Protect its precious roots during winter with a thick mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure to keep them snug and warm.
It pairs beautifully with other garden climbers like Virginia creeper or an evergreen vine, adding layers of texture and color.
Conclusion
From the fragrant and charming Apple Blossom Clematis to the vigorous and eye-catching Bougainvillea, these climbers will transform your garden into a vertical paradise. With each plant offering unique blooms, vibrant colors, and lush foliage, your outdoor space will become a dynamic haven for both you and visiting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.
Combine different varieties to create a rich tapestry of textures and colors, and don’t be afraid to mix in some annual vines for a seasonal splash. With a bit of care and a dash of creativity, your garden will reach new heights of beauty and charm.
