Top climbers for your garden

Climbers are the ultimate space savers in gardens, and can quickly transform a plain vertical surface into a living masterpiece. Which species you use will depend on your climate zone, space and design requirements. Here are six great climbers to get you started…

Flowering vines

Jade vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys)

With its phenomenal pendulous blooms in a striking aqua colour, this tropical climber would have to be one of the most beautiful flowering plants in the world. Although it thrives outdoors in warmer climates, it can be grown as an indoor plant in other areas. Train the plant onto a well-structured support that allows its incredible blooms to be appreciated. A long and tall arbour is ideal, as it also allows you to stroll beneath the magic.

• Subtropical to tropical climates (frost-sensitive, so minimum 5°C)
• Full sun, semi-shade
• Good for: pergolas, fences, arbours Flowers from late winter into spring

Snake vine (Hibbertia scandens)

Also known as guinea flower, this fast-growing climbing and scrambling plant makes a vibrant addition to the garden. Its large yellow flowers appear through spring and summer and contrast beautifully with the verdant foliage. They attract butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects to the garden. Allow the vine to sprawl over unsightly structures, or train it along a fence. Grown as a groundcover, it creates a dense, attractive mound.

• Cool temperate to subtropical climates
• Full sun, semi-shade
• Suits exposed coastal gardens
• Drought tolerant once established

Native climbers

Black coral pea (Kennedia nigricans)

There are 13 species of Kennedia and all have lovely attributes, but for some serious wow factor, you can’t go past this climber’s eye-catching black and yellow pea flowers. Hailing from coastal areas in Western Australia, it likes free-draining soil and a sunny spot, and it flowers for most of the year. It’s rather vigorous and will clamber over any structure in sight. Grown as a groundcover, it forms a large, dense mat with plenty of habitat potential. Prune after flowering to keep it contained.

• Cool temperate to subtropical climates
• Full sun, good drainage
• Good for groundcover
• Fast growing
• Tolerates poor soil and light frost

Fraser Island creeper (Tecomanthe hillii)

An evergreen climber endemic to coastal Queensland, with gloriously showy flowers borne in clusters off the stems in spring and summer. The waxy, bell-shaped blooms can be yellow, salmon pink, or pink with cream, and attract bees, butterflies and nectar-feeding birds.

• Warm temperate to tropical climates
• Full sun, semi-shade, good drainage
• Good for pergolas, fences, arbours, and trees

Climbers for walls

Stephanotis or Madagascar jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda)

With deep green leathery leaves, this fast-growing evergreen climber makes a stunning specimen plant when trained up and over a pergola or onto a trellis, wall or fence. It features masses of long-lasting, beautifully scented, waxy white flowers. Growing to about 5m tall, it can easily be trained over and around a window, door or archway, where it will add romantic visual and olfactory appeal. It prefers warm climates but can be grown indoors in cooler areas.

• Warm temperate to tropical climates
• Full sun, semi-shade, sheltered position, rich and well-drained soil
• Good for containers
• Excellent cut flower

Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)

Boston ivy will happily attach itself to a variety of surfaces with its sucker-like discs at the end of each tendril. The standout attribute of this fast-growing deciduous climber is its soft green foliage, which turns the most beautiful autumnal colours when the cooler weather arrives. It belongs to the grape family (Vitaceae) and isn’t related to true ivy. It can leave marks on surfaces when removed.

• Cool climates for best colour
• Full sun, semi-shade
• Good for fences, brickwork, buildings, verandahs, and pergolas (perfect for summer shade and winter sun)

Header image credit: Angus Stewart