Gardening

20 Best Climbing Plants For Wall Fences Or Pegolas

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Be ready to take your garden to new heights with the perfect climbing plants for walls, fences, and pergolas. In this article, you will get to know about the top 20 climbers that will transform your outdoor space into a lush oasis, which provides shade, beauty, and a touch of fancy.

Here, we have covered the best options for adding vertical interest and creating stunning focal points in your garden. Thus, let's explore the world of climbing plants.

1. Moonflower

Moonflower is a fantastic climbing plant that can beautifully cover walls, fences, or pergolas. It grows rapidly, reaching heights of 15 feet, which makes it perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.

To grow a moonflower, plant its seeds in the spring and provide a trellis or fence for the vine to climb. But ensure the area receives full sun, as moonflower thrives in warm conditions.

Additionally, moonflower blooms at night, and releases a sweet fragrance that intensifies after dark, making it a unique and captivating addition to any garden.

2. Ivy

The ivy flower is a popular and versatile climbing plant that excels at covering walls and more. Its delicate, star-shaped flowers bloom in the fall, producing a beautiful display of white, yellow, or purple hues. 

One of the main reasons ivy flower stands out is its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and in a range of soil types. This adaptability makes it an ideal choice for gardens with varying light and soil conditions.

Furthermore, this flower is relatively low-maintenance, as it requires only occasional pruning to keep it under control. Its ability to grow quickly and spread easily also makes it perfect for covering large areas, such as walls or fences, with a lush, green carpet.

3. Wisteria

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Wisteria is a pretty flowering vine that's famous for its gorgeous blooms and its talent for climbing walls. Its fragrant flowers come in lovely shades of purple, pink, and white, creating a dazzling display that's sure to impress.

One of the coolest things about wisteria is how quickly it grows up to 30 feet high. It's also pretty low-maintenance. You only need to prune it now and then to keep it in check. It can grow in full sun or partial shade and in different soil types. 

In short, wisteria is a fantastic way to add some elegance and charm to your outdoor space. So, if you want to give your garden a touch of magic, wisteria is the way to go.

4. Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle is a fantastic addition to any garden, thanks to its colorful, fragrant flowers and its knack for climbing walls and fences. With over 180 species to choose from, you can find honeysuckle in a range of colors like crimson, orange, yellow, and white.

Its tube-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, which is great if you want to bring some wildlife into your garden. Also, this is pretty easy to grow since it adapts well to different soil types and conditions, and it loves full sun.

While it can get quite large, you can keep it in check by trimming it back. Overall, honeysuckle adds a lovely, carefree charm to your garden boundaries, making it perfect for walls and fences.

5. Star Jasmine

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Another gorgeous climbing plant is star jasmine, famous for its star-shaped flowers and its ability to thrive on walls. Its fragrant white blooms are a treat for the senses, filling the air with a sweet, intoxicating scent. 

This dazzling flower can reach heights of up to 30 feet. This plant is very adaptable, growing well in everything from full sun to partial shade and in various soil types. This makes it a great option for gardens with different light and soil conditions.

Thus, the ability to flourish on walls, fences, or pergolas makes Star Jasmine one of the best climbing plants you can choose for these areas.

6. Passion Flower

Passion flowers are renowned for their exotic beauty. They are tendril climbers that wind themselves around anything in their path, requiring some kind of horizontal support to hold on to.

Hardy passion flowers can be grown outdoors in a sunny, sheltered position in the garden, while tender varieties need the warmth of a heated greenhouse or conservatory.

These plants are admired for their long-lasting blooms that appear over a long period from early summer until autumn. They are relatively easy to care for, requiring fertile, well-drained soil and regular watering.

Likewise, they are also known for their edible fruit, although not all varieties produce fruit that is good to eat.

7. Clematis

Clematis come in a beautiful variety of colors and shapes. You can find airy, drooping flowers in the early-flowering alpina and macropetala types, as well as large, eye-catching blooms in the summer-flowering hybrids.

This diversity allows gardeners to find the perfect clematis to suit their color scheme and style. They are also remarkably hardy, and able to withstand cold winters and hot summers, making them a reliable perennial choice.

Additionally, they are versatile climbers, able to cling to trellises, fences, and arbors, and even scramble through shrubs and trees, which provides vertical interest and coverage. With their long flowering seasons, clematis can provide color and beauty for months.

8. Climbing Hydrangea

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This vigorous, deciduous climber boasts a profusion of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, which are held in flattened clusters and resemble lacecap flowers. The flowers are surrounded by heart-shaped, shiny, dark green leaves that keep their fresh look throughout the summer and turn golden-yellow in the fall.

Further, the trunk of mature stems exfoliates to reveal reddish-brown bark, adding a splash of color to the winter landscape. Climbing Hydrangea is extremely versatile, thriving in a variety of conditions and able to grow up to 15 meters tall, making it an excellent choice for covering walls, trellises, or other supporting structures.

Its ability to cling to surfaces using aerial rootlets also allows it to grow without the need for additional support, making it a low-maintenance yet striking addition to any garden or home.

9. Morning Glory

This fast-growing annual vine is renowned for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms that open in the morning and close by the afternoon. Morning Glory comes in a variety of stunning colors, from the classic deep blue "Heavenly Blue" to shades of pink, purple, and white.

What makes Morning Glory a top pick for climbing is its ability to rapidly grow up trellises, fences, or other structures, reaching heights of up to 10 feet in a single season. Its twining vines cling tightly to supports, creating a lush, eye-catching display.

In addition, this is relatively low-maintenance, as it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. The flowers also attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, adding further appeal.

10. Virginia Creeper

Native to North America, this deciduous vine is highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of conditions, including full sun to full shade and various soil types. Its ability to grow up to 50 feet or more makes it ideal for covering large vertical surfaces quickly.

One of the standout features of the Virginia creeper is its five-leaflet compound leaves, which provide a lush green cover during spring and summer. In autumn, the foliage transforms into a brilliant display of red and orange, adding a spectacular burst of color to the garden.

11. Sweet Pea

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It is an exceptional climbing plant, ideal for adorning wall fences and pergolas with its vibrant and fragrant blooms. Native to the Mediterranean region, sweet peas are cherished for their delicate, butterfly-like flowers that come in a wide array of colors, including pink, purple, red, white, and blue.

These annual climbers are particularly valued for their delightful fragrance, which can fill a garden with a sweet, intoxicating scent.

Sweet peas thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, though they can tolerate partial shade. They require support, such as trellises or fences, to climb and showcase their cascading blooms. These plants can reach heights of 6-8 feet, creating a colorful and aromatic display when properly trained.

12. Akebia

One of Akebia's standout features is its fragrant, chocolate-scented flowers, which bloom in spring. The flowers are usually purplish-brown, with some varieties offering white or pink blooms. These blooms are followed by unusual, sausage-shaped fruits that add further interest to the plant.

Akebia thrives in a variety of conditions, preferring well-drained soil and partial to full sun. It's particularly adaptable, tolerating different soil types and some shade, making it versatile for various garden settings.

Its vigorous growth means it can quickly cover fences, trellises, and pergolas, providing a verdant, leafy curtain.

13. Trumpet Vine

This plant is a robust and visually striking climbing plant, making it an excellent choice for covering wall fences and pergolas. Native to the southeastern United States, this deciduous vine is celebrated for its large, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in vibrant shades of orange, red, and yellow throughout the summer and into early autumn.

The trumpet vine is particularly known for its rapid growth and ability to cover structures quickly, making it ideal for creating lush, green vertical spaces. Its aerial roots and twining stems allow it to cling easily to fences, trellises, and pergolas, providing a dense canopy of foliage and blossoms.

14. Bougainvillea

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Bougainvillea is a spectacular climbing plant renowned for its vibrant and abundant bracts, making it an excellent choice for wall fences and pergolas. Native to South America, this hardy, evergreen climber thrives in warm climates, where it can reach impressive heights, adding a riot of color to vertical structures.

Bougainvillea's striking bracts, often mistaken for flowers, come in a range of colors, including magenta, purple, red, orange, and white. These bracts surround the small, white true flowers and create a dazzling display from spring through fall. The plant's lush, green foliage provides an attractive backdrop to the vivid bracts.

15. Climbing Roses

Climbing roses are a classic choice for adorning wall fences and pergolas, renowned for their timeless beauty and fragrant blooms. Unlike traditional bush roses, climbing roses possess long, arching canes that can be trained to grow vertically, making them ideal for adding vertical interest and elegance to garden structures.

These roses come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, white, and yellow, with blooms that can be single or double-petaled. Many climbing roses are repeat bloomers, providing a continuous display of flowers from late spring to autumn.

16. Mandevilla

Mandevilla, a genus of tropical and subtropical flowering vines, is celebrated for its stunning, trumpet-shaped blooms and lush, glossy foliage. Native to Central and South America, Mandevilla is a popular choice for adding vertical interest to gardens, particularly on trellises, fences, and pergolas. 

This plant thrives in warm climates and requires a sunny location with well-drained soil. In cooler regions, Mandevilla can be grown in containers and moved indoors during the winter.

17. Black-Eyed Susan

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It is an exceptional choice for wall fences or pergolas due to its vibrant blooms and vigorous growth. This perennial vine, native to Eastern Africa, produces striking, daisy-like flowers with deep yellow to orange petals and a characteristic dark center, giving it its name.

The flowers appear from summer to early autumn, adding a long-lasting splash of color to any vertical structure. The plant’s twining habit makes it perfect for climbing. It quickly covers fences and pergolas, creating a lush, green backdrop adorned with bright flowers. 

18. Purple Bell Vine

Stunning climber, purple bell vine produces abundances of flowers for months, making it a standout in any garden. This fast-growing vine thrives in warm climates and can be grown as an annual in cooler climates. 

Its unique flowers are a mixture of deep purple and pink, with the pink sepals lasting for a long. The vine has heart-shaped leaves with purple blush on the borders and can grow up to 3 meters a season. It is easy to grow and maintain because it requires moderate watering and well-drained soil. 

This beautiful flower is perfect for growing over a trellis or arbor, and its trailing stems can also be trained to hang from baskets. With proper care, it can be treated as a perennial, and its seeds can be collected for sowing.

19. Potato Vine

The Potato Vine, also known as Solanum laxum, is a great climbing flower for fences, walls, and pergolas. This fast-growing vine is easy to care for and produces many beautiful white flowers throughout the growing season.

Its delicate, star-shaped blooms have a subtle fragrance, which adds charm to any outdoor space. Also, this is versatile, thriving in full sun or partial shade, and requires minimal maintenance.

Likewise, its lush green foliage creates a stunning backdrop for the flowers. Overall, this is an excellent choice that rewards you with abundant, eye-catching blooms season after season.

20. Ceanothus

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These evergreen shrubs are simply bursting with clusters of rich, deep blue flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer, creating a stunning visual display. Because of its versatility, it can be trained to grow up a trellis or wall or even cascade gracefully over the edges.

Likewise, these hardy plants are incredibly easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established, so you can sit back and enjoy their vibrant blooms season after season.

Whether you are looking to add a pop of color to a bare fence or create a dreamy, cottage-inspired ambiance, the ceanothus is a climbing flower that is sure to delight and impress. 

Basic Care For Climbing Flowers

To keep your climbing flowers thriving on walls, fences, or pergolas, follow these basic and essential care tips:

1. Watering

Ensure consistent moisture, especially during the first few years after planting. Water well during dry spells, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot and other issues.

2. Pruning

Regular pruning is crucial for maintaining the health and appearance of your climbers. Cut back overgrown stems after flowering, unless they produce fabulous berries. Tie new shoots to support at the same time to encourage growth and training.

3. Support

Provide a secure and sturdy support structure for your climbers to twine around. This can be a trellis, wire, or other framework that allows them to grow upwards and outwards.

4. Soil

Use well-draining soil that is suitable for the specific type of climber you are growing. Most climbers prefer fertile soil with a pH range that is slightly acidic to neutral.

5. Sunlight

Secure your climbers receive the right amount of sunlight. Some prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial shade. Check the specific requirements for your chosen variety.

6. Fertilization

Feed your climbers with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season to promote healthy growth and flowering.

7. Pest and Disease Management

Keep an eye out for pests and diseases that can harm your climbers. Use organic or chemical controls as needed to prevent infestations and infections.

By following these basic care tips, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of climbing flowers on your walls, fences, or pergolas.