How to Grow Up: The Art of Climbing Plants

By Darcy Logan

The art of getting these plants to scale the side of a house or wall has baffled some of the best gardeners. When done right, climbing plants can be used to cover an ugly fence or wall. The trick is to look at the nature of the plant and understand how they are designed to climb. Then, all you will need to do is match up the right support and, in no time at all, you'll have a wall filled with foliage.

Plants can climb several different ways. While some need vertical support, others require horizontal supports, and some need no support at all. Climbing plants fall into one of five categories: tendrils, twiners, scramblers, stickers, and stem roots.

Tendrils

Tendrils get their name from their slender, wiry growths that extend about an inch from the stems and curl when they encounter a support. They need thin horizontal supports no more than 1/4 inch in diameter that they can grab onto it. Two-inch square netting works well for this. However, horizontal strings attached to poles are even more ideal for these plants.

Passionflowers or Passion Vines: There are over 500 species of passionflowers. Passion flowers have stem tendrils about an inch long that grow out of the stem and need thin horizontal supports no more than 1/4 inch in diameter that they can grab onto. Two-inch square netting works well for this. However, horizontal strings attached to poles are even more ideal for these plants. They are easily grown in zones 5-9, but can be planted in colder areas as long as they are mulched heavily in the winter. Under proper conditions, passionflowers can grow up to 30 feet in a single season. They need partial to full sun and like lots of water. Keep soil moist, especially during the flowering season.

Porcelain Ampelopsis: The porcelain ampelopsis is an attractive vine that will grow about six feet tall. It prefers full sun to partial sun conditions and grows best in zones 6-9. In the fall it bears round, blue-violet flowers.

Twiners

Twiners have either twining leaves or twining stems that need something vertical to twist and turn around. To help twiners climb, give them a trellis, string, wire, or a post. Just make sure it's horizontal. Twiners include morning glories, Dutchman's pipe, honeysuckle, clematis, thunbergia, and wisteria. Twiners, especially honeysuckle and wisteria, can grow quite large and must need a strong support to support their weight.

Morning Glories: Despite some misconceptions, morning glories are not perennial. Because they are so fast growing, they seem that way. Morning glories can be killed off with any frost, but reseed themselves the next year and are capable of reaching heights of 10 feet or more within two months. Morning glories should be planted in full sun after all danger of frost is past. Plant seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, about eight inches apart. For best results, slightly nick the seeds with a file or soak them overnight before planting. Do not over-water or fertilize and they will flower from summer to fall.

Dutchman's Pipe: Dutchman's pipe is a twining plant that does well in a shady or a partial-shady spot. They are hardy perennials in zones 8-10 and will bloom from early spring until fall. While they are attractive to butterflies and birds, their scent can make them somewhat unattractive to humans. Also, they are toxic if consumed.

Honeysuckle: There are over 180 species of honeysuckle; 20 of them are native to North America. They are hardy, fast growing, and easy to grow in 5-11. Their fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies in the summer and produce a fruit that will attract songbirds in the fall. They prefer full sun, but will tolerate partial sun and will only require moderate watering. They should be planted in the early spring as soon as all danger of frost has passed. If you plan to have it grow upwards, plant it about 6 to 12 inches away from the support in order to give it plenty of growing room. Vines may need to be tied to their support using a strong, stretch material that won't cut into the growing branches. Mulch the plant heavily in the winter to protect its roots from freezing.

Clematis: Clematis has easily earned its title of the "Queen of Climbers." They prefer a spot where their roots are shaded with their tops in full sun, so it’s a good idea to pair them with a nice ground cover to give them some protection. The soil should be well worked, loose, and porous to give their roots the opportunity to spread. They should be watered regularly, but not over watered.

Thunbergia: Also known as the Black-eyed Susan or the orange clockvine, this vine is a warm-season annual in zones 2-9 but a perennial in zones 10-11. It needs full sun to partial shade conditions and need regular watering. It is very easy to grow from seeds and grows to heights of about 8 to 10 feet.

Wisteria: Wisteria vines can be seen gracing the front of the Smithsonian Buildings along Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. They grow best in zones 6-9. They prefer full sun and need to be watered regularly. Wisteria will require some training before they will climb. Once they do, they will produce fragrant white, pink, or purple flowers in long clusters in the late spring or early summer.

Scramblers

Scramblers are unable to climb on their own and will need to be secured in place with either gardening string or wire. Of course, their thorns can make this tender work. Scramblers include bougainvillea and climbing or rambling roses.

Bougainvillea: Bougainvilleas need full sun and need only light watering providing they are planted in well-drained soil. They should be fertilized in the early spring and midsummer and only pruned after they have finished flowering. Protect these warm-weather plants in the winter, although they will generally tolerate die back from a freeze.

Climbing and Rambling Roses: Climbing roses will grow very tall (25 feet high or more) and have very flexible canes that can be trained to climbed almost anything. Most species of climbing roses need full sun, although a few species will grow in partial shade. The main difference between climbing roses and rambling roses is that climbers will repeat blooms through the season and have heavier canes than the rambling roses. Fertilize the roses at least twice a year - once in April and then again in July.

Stickers

Stickers also have stem tendrils. However, these tendrils come with their own adhesive that allows them to climb to virtually anything. Stickers include the Boston ivy and the Virginia creeper. They will not need any additional support other than a vertical structure on which to cling.

Boston Ivy: Boston ivy prefers full sun to light shade, slightly moist to slightly dry conditions, and a fertile loamy soil to support its rampant growth. It will tolerate soil containing clay or stony material. Flowers and berries are more likely to be produced if there is some exposure to sunlight.

Virginia Creeper: Virginia creeper is a vigorous climbing perennial vine that can grow up to 50 feet tall. Care should be taken as it can choke a tree if it is not controlled. It will grow well in virtually any condition from full sun to full shade. In the fall, it produces a berry that is a favorite of many birds and animals.

Stem Roots

Stem root climbers use clingy stem roots to attach themselves to virtually any surface. These roots are so strong that they can actually damage paint and mortar when they are removed. They will not need any additional support other than a vertical structure on which to cling. Some species of stem root climbers include the climbing hydrangea and the English ivy.

Climbing Hydrangea: Climbing hydrangea can reach heights of 80 feet if they are given enough room to grow. They grow best in zones 4 - 7. Climbing hydrangea need full sun to partial shade and will tolerate virtually any soil conditions.

English Ivy: English ivy will thrive in full sun conditions in temperate climates, but does better in partial sun or shade. It does best in zones 3-9 and grow to a height of about 9 feet tall. Plant them about 18 inches apart.

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