20 Climbing Plants and Vines to Cover Ugly Fences and Walls

A tired fence or a bare brick wall can make a whole garden feel flat. The good news is that you rarely need to replace anything. A well-chosen climbing plant can cover a boundary in a single season and turn it into the best feature of the garden.

Here are 20 climbing plants and vines that work in UK gardens. Some flower for months, others are evergreen or give brilliant autumn colour. I have included ideas for sun and shade, small gardens and big walls, plus a few tips on supports so you get the most from each plant.

1. Purple Clematis on a Trellis

Clematis is the classic fence climber. Choose a large-flowered variety for plenty of colour and fix a simple trellis so the stems have something to cling to. Keep the roots cool with a layer of mulch.

2. Pink Climbing Rose on a Brick Wall

A climbing rose on a sunny wall is pure cottage garden. Tie the stems in horizontally to encourage more flowers, and feed in spring. The scent on a summer evening is wonderful.

3. Honeysuckle on a Wooden Fence

Honeysuckle scrambles happily over a fence and its creamy flowers are packed with scent. It also feeds bees and moths. It copes with partial shade, which makes it very useful.

4. Star Jasmine on a Garden Wall

Star jasmine has glossy evergreen leaves and white flowers that smell amazing in summer. Give it a sheltered, sunny wall and some wires to climb. It is perfect behind a garden bench.

5. Evergreen Ivy on Brick

Ivy is the easiest way to cover a wall or fence fast. It is evergreen, great for wildlife and thrives in shade. Keep it trimmed away from roof tiles and gutters.

6. Virginia Creeper for Autumn Colour

Virginia creeper turns blazing red in autumn and makes a house wall spectacular. It is vigorous, so give it plenty of space and prune it back each year.

7. Wisteria over a Pergola

Wisteria hanging from a pergola is a showstopper in late spring. It needs a strong structure and regular pruning, but the scented lilac flowers are worth it.

8. Passion Flower on a Fence

Passion flowers produce exotic blue and white blooms and can even give orange fruit. Choose a sunny, sheltered fence and protect the base with a mulch in winter.

9. Climbing Hydrangea for Shade

Climbing hydrangea is one of the best plants for a shady north-facing wall. It clings on its own and covers itself in white lacecap flowers in summer.

10. Sweet Peas on a Wigwam

Sweet peas are easy to grow from seed on a bamboo wigwam. The more you pick, the more they flower. A few stems in a vase scent a whole room.

11. An Evergreen Climber on a Painted Fence

A painted sage green fence with trellis panels makes a lovely backdrop for an evergreen climber. It gives year-round structure and a soft, natural look.

12. A Grapevine over a Pergola

A grapevine on a pergola gives dappled shade and a Mediterranean feel. Choose a variety suited to UK weather and prune it in winter. You may even get a few grapes.

13. Clematis Armandii in Spring

Clematis armandii is evergreen and covers itself with fragrant white flowers in early spring. Plant it in a sheltered spot out of cold winds.

14. Black-Eyed Susan in a Pot

Black-eyed Susan is a fast, cheerful annual climber for pots. Grow it up an obelisk on the patio and enjoy orange flowers all summer. It is ideal for renters and small spaces.

15. A Rose on an Obelisk in the Border

An obelisk gives height to a flower border and lets a rose climb without taking over. Add some clematis and foxgloves around it for a romantic look.

16. Rose and Clematis Together

Growing a rose and a clematis together doubles the flowers on the same support. Pick colours that complement each other and feed both well.

17. Nasturtiums on a Wooden Fence

Climbing nasturtiums are cheap, easy and edible. Their orange and red flowers brighten a plain fence all summer. Sow them straight into the soil in spring.

18. Golden Hop Vine on Wires

A golden hop gives bright lime foliage that lights up a dull fence. It grows fast every spring. Tie it to wires and cut it back in winter.

19. Add Height with a Metal Obelisk

A metal obelisk in a pot or border adds height and structure. Planted with black-eyed Susan or sweet peas it makes a bold focal point even in a small garden.

20. Training Wires on a Brick Wall

Before you plant, fix horizontal wires to a brick wall. They support climbers without damaging the brickwork and make it easy to tie in new growth.

Choosing the Right Climber

The secret to a great climbing plant is the right plant for the right place. Check how much sun and shade your fence gets, add a sturdy support and keep the roots watered in the first year. After that, most of these plants largely look after themselves.

Which climber would you choose for your fence or wall? For more garden inspiration for UK homes, keep an eye on TheGardenFixHome.com.

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