The Joys Of Growing Up

Create an instant vertical garden with climbing plants

Climbers are conquerors. They beat the battles with your budget, and vanquish eyesores and DIY disasters. They fill little spaces in small gardens but also spread to make a massive mural in larger yards. They drape walls and fences, posts and poles to soften hard edges while adding a third dimension. And, because climbers aspire, they also inspire!

1 PASSION FLOWER

The extraordinary and captivating flowers of this vine emerge in spring and fruit follows in summer. They’re subtropical, so if growing in cooler areas, choose a sunny, sheltered spot. Most are grafted, and sometimes the roots put out their own shoots – cut these off or they will take over and become troublesome. Tendrils twine around anything they can get hold of – a wire fence is good! Be ruthless and cut back by a third in late winter.

2 CLEMATIS & IVY

This is a marriage made in heaven – a starburst of flowers from your clematis in spring and Boston ivy’s brilliant foliage colour in autumn. Both thrive in cool, temperate areas in a sunny spot, as the ivy’s aerial roots cling to walls while the clematis wraps its leaf stems around anything nearby – in this case the ivy. It’s definitely love!

3 CLIMBING HYDRANGEA

These massive vines climb pillars, posts, trees or any supporting structure, up to about 15m, although you can cut them back to a voluminous shrub. A prune after flowering and again in late winter rewards you with masses of large clusters of fragrant white flowers in summer. Grow in partial shade in subtropical, temperate and cool areas.

4 CLIMBING/ CREEPING FIG