SIX OF THE BEST climbing plants
Make use of the unlimited vertical areas of a garden with climbers that will add an extra dimension of colour, form, foliage and fragrance and be easily appreciated at eye level.
1. Half-hardy climbing annuals
It’s not too late to sow the seeds of fast-growing annuals that naturally reach for the sky, such as Cobaea scandens (right) and morning glory (left). Direct sow the seeds into the soil (with full sun) or start them off in pots.
2. Roses
Roses enrich gardens with their classic beauty. Choose either a climbing rose that is highly scented, disease resistant and produces flowers over a long period or a rambling rose, which is more likely to give one spectacular flush of copious blooms.
3. Tropaeolum speciosum
Commonly referred to as the ‘flame flower’, this climber produces bold swathes of tightly packed scarlet blooms, which looks stunning when grown through green shrubs. It prefers acidic soil and likes to have its roots in the shade and top growth in the sun.
4. Clematis
Members of this diverse plant family can be found in flower at any given month of the year. From vigorous to compact, in an extensive range of single and bi-coloured blooms, these upwardly mobile plants are a great asset to any garden setting for a country cottage feel.
5. Evergreen climbers
Climbers that stay in leaf all-year round are invaluable for providing habitats and food for wildlife. Use them to transform the appearance of bare walls and fences. Trachelospermum jasminoides has the bonus of carrying highly scented white flowers in summer.
6. Honeysuckle
A much-loved cottage garden favourite that is also a favourite of moths, butterflies and pollinating insects. There are plenty of vibrant colourful forms but the native yellow and white honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum, is hard to beat for fragrance.
With the , right support vigorous climbers will reach for the skies. Try , trellises obelisks and cages.
VERTICAL VISION
Climbing plants usually only require a small footprint of ground space so can easily be accommodated in compact gardens. In addition to growing them against walls, up arches and around obelisks, several summerflowering climbers look particularly eye-catching when allowed to scramble through shrubs, especially early-flowering spring shrubs that have finished their annual display and will remain green for the remainder of the growing season.
Dead head sweet peas and repeat flowering roses – not only will it promote the formation of new blooms, it will also let you appreciate the beauty of the plant close up.