The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Climbing Plants for Your Garden

ByWayne Brown
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Climbing Plants for Your Garden

Are you looking to add some vertical interest to your garden? Climbing plants are the perfect solution! Not only do they add height and visual interest to your outdoor space, but they also create beautiful vertical blooms that can transform any trellis, pergola, or fence. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the 20 best climbing plants that are sure to take your garden to new heights—literally. From colorful roses to fragrant jasmines, there’s a climbing plant for every style and preference.

American Beauty Rose (Rosa ‘American Beauty’)

The American Beauty rose is a delightful climbing rose that adds pops of color to any fence or small trellis. While it may not grow as tall as some other climbers, this rose is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your garden.

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Apple Blossom Clematis (Clematis armandii)

The Apple Blossom Clematis is not only visually stunning with its flashy blooms, but it also produces a delightful almond-like aroma. With the right care and support, this plant can reach impressive heights and widths, making it a show-stopping addition to any garden.

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Arctic Kiwi (Actinidia arguta)

Native to Russia, the Arctic Kiwi is a hardy climber that thrives in subtropical climates. With striking green leaves and pink patches, this vine produces delicious ripe fruit in late summer, making it both aesthetically pleasing and fruitful.

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Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alta)

The Black-Eyed Susan Vine may be smaller in size, but it packs a punch with its charming blooms. This easy-to-care-for plant can quickly reach heights of 8 feet in just one growing season, adding a touch of whimsy to any garden.

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Blue Moon Kentucky Wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya)

Native to the southern U.S., the Blue Moon Kentucky Wisteria is known for its showy blue flowers that resemble grapes. This climber can grow up to a foot long and adds a splash of color to any trellis or pergola.

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Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea)

With its thorny vines and colorful flowers, Bougainvillea is a striking addition to any garden. This plant can grow up to 40 feet tall when properly supported, making it a statement piece in any outdoor space.

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Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata)

Named for its unique purple-brown flowers and chocolate-like aroma, the Chocolate Vine is a fast-growing climber that can reach heights of 40 feet in just one season. Its slender vines wind gracefully around trellises and pergolas, adding a touch of elegance to your garden.

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Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)

Known for its green leaves and delicate white flowers, the Climbing Hydrangea is a slow-growing vine that requires patience. With proper care, this plant can produce beautiful blooms after several years, making it a rewarding addition to any garden.

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Concord Grapes (Vitis labrusca ‘Concord’)

Easy to grow and productive, Concord Grapes are a popular choice for climbers. Once established, this plant can save you money on grocery store runs by producing delicious fruit in just a few years.

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Cup and Saucer Vine (Cobaea scandens)

Also known as Cathedral Bells, the Cup and Saucer Vine boasts cup-shaped flowers in either purple or white. This fast-growing climber adds a touch of whimsy to any garden and quickly scales trellises with its vigorous growth.

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Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)

The delicate appearance of the Cypress Vine sets it apart from other climbers. With star-shaped red flowers against fern-like leaves, this plant adds a unique and eye-catching element to any landscape.

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Don Juan Rose (Rose ‘Don Juan’)

The Don Juan Rose is a picture-perfect climbing rose with deep, velvety red blooms. Paired with lush green leaves, this plant is a showstopper wherever it’s planted, adding elegance and beauty to any garden.

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Highwire Flyer Rose (Rosa ‘Highwire Flyer’)

Despite its name, the Highwire Flyer rose reaches a manageable height of 4 to 6 feet, making it ideal for garden fences. With big, hot pink blooms, this plant adds a pop of color and vibrancy to your outdoor space.

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Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda)

Known for its small, white, trumpet-shaped flowers, the Madagascar Jasmine can reach heights of 20 feet when grown on a trellis. With its compact growth habit, this plant also thrives as a houseplant, adding beauty and fragrance to indoor spaces.

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Mandevilla

The Mandevilla genus includes a variety of flowering vines that add color and beauty to any garden. With trumpet-shaped flowers in a range of sizes and colors, Mandevilla vines grow quickly and are easy to care for.

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Souvenir de la Malmaison Rose (Rosa ‘Souvenir de la Malmaison’)

With blush-colored blooms and vigorous growth, the Souvenir de la Malmaison rose can reach heights of 20 feet. This climber is a showstopper in any garden, adding beauty and elegance with its classic Bourbon rose blooms.

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Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

The fragrant and tiny flowers of the Star Jasmine are a favorite among gardeners and bees alike. This fast-growing climber can reach heights of 3 to 6 feet in just one year, making it a great choice for adding vertical interest to your garden.

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Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)

Colorful and fragrant, Sweet Peas are a popular choice for adding a cottagecore look to gardens. With a range of colors to choose from, these climbers add beauty and charm to any trellis or pergola. However, it’s important to note that Sweet Peas are toxic if consumed, so it’s best to keep them out of reach of children and pets.

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Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

The Trumpet Vine is aptly named for its trumpet-shaped flowers in vibrant colors. Loved by pollinators like hummingbirds and bees, this fast-growing climber adds a burst of color and beauty to any garden.

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Yellow Jasmine (Chrysojasminum humile)

Known for its sunshine-yellow flowers, the Yellow Jasmine is a manageable climber that adds a pop of color to any garden. With its bold blooms and easy care requirements, this plant is a great choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

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Tips and Considerations for Choosing Climbing Plants

1. Avoid Invasive Species

Before planting any climbing plants in your garden, it’s important to research whether the plant is invasive to your area. Some species, like Chinese wisteria and porcelain vine, can quickly overtake your landscape and may even be illegal in your region. Always choose non-invasive plants to protect your garden’s ecosystem.

“One plant to almost always avoid is Morning Glory,” says Nicolette McCary, co-owner of Seattle Sustainable Landscapes. “This fast-growing perennial is considered invasive in most states and is currently illegal to grow in some areas.”

2. Consider Combining Climbers

Growing two climbing plants on a single structure can create a stunning visual effect in your garden. However, it’s important to choose plants that complement each other and won’t compete for space. Select species that work well together and won’t choke each other out, ensuring a harmonious and balanced garden design.

“Climbers by nature will tangle and intertwine with each other, so it’s best to pick two species that will work in tandem rather than compete,” advises McCary. “Be prepared to either keep both plants or remove all of them, as selectively removing intertwined vines can be challenging.”

3. Be Aware of Toxicity

Some climbing plants may be toxic if consumed, posing a risk to small children and pets. Before adding any toxic plants to your garden, research their toxicity levels and ensure they are safely out of reach of curious hands and paws.

“Toxicity is an important consideration when selecting climbing plants,” says McCary. “While you probably won’t be eating your vines, it’s crucial to be aware of any potential risks to children and pets.”

By following these tips and considerations, you can choose the best climbing plants for your garden that will thrive and enhance your outdoor space. Whether you’re aiming for colorful blooms, fragrant flowers, or lush greenery, there’s a climbing plant out there for every gardener’s taste and style.

In conclusion, climbing plants are a fantastic addition to any garden, adding height, beauty, and visual interest to your outdoor space. With a wide variety of climbers to choose from, you can create a vertical oasis that will be the envy of all your neighbors. So go ahead and plant some climbing beauties in your garden today and watch as they transform your landscape into a stunning and vibrant paradise!

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