Best climbers for pots

Plants in pots rely on you for their water, so choose climbers with waxy foliage or small leaves as these lose less moisture. Annual climbers are a good bet, although you’ll have to replace them each year, but some perennials will also do well.

■ Canary creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum) This tender perennial grows rapidly in summer. Keep frost-free in winter. Height x Spread 3.5m x 1.2m

Flowers Jun-Oct

■ Spanish flag (Ipomoea lobata) Fastgrowing annual climber, covering itself in sprays of tubular flowers. Best grown in full sun.

H x S 2.5m x 50cm F Jun-Aug

■ Chinese dregea (Dregea sinensis) Evergreen climber bearing clusters of scented flowers. Grow in a sheltered spot or indoors. H x S 3m x 3m F-Jun-Aug

■ Chinese jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) An evergreen, self-twining climber, well suited to growing in a large container. Grow this perennial in a sheltered spot.

H x S 6m x 3m F Jul-Aug

■ Scented clematis (Clematis x aromatica) Vanilla-scented purple flowers. Cut the stems down to the ground in winter. H x S 2m x 1m F Jul-Sep

■ Common jasmine (Jasminum officinale) Easy to grow, evergreen perennial with masses of strongly scented flowers.

H x S 3m x 3m F Jun-Aug

■ Chilean glory vine (Eccremocarpus scaber) Delicate filigreed foliage and clusters of tubular flowers in summer. Dies back in most winters. Grow in a sheltered spot or indoors.

H x S 3m x 1.8m F Jun-Oct

■ Black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata) Fast growing annual climber that comes in a range of colours. Thrives in full sun.

H x S 2.5m x 60cm F Jun-Oct