Gardening with climbers or vines can result in both aesthetically
pleasing landscapes and practical benefits. Since there are numerous
options to choose from when planting your climbers, you can find a
plant to meet your tastes and needs.
Make sure to do your homework before planting climbers; you don’t
want to find yourself surrounded by fast growing and dense vines you
weren’t expecting. Also, these plants grow in different ways and
directions, so make sure to choose a plant that fits your garden.
Vines also require different types and amount of support. Some need
vertical support, others need horizontal support, and some need no
support at all.
Trying to hide plain or unappealing parts of your home? Climbing
plants can do just that. Although usually thought of as plants that
grow tall, climbers also grow on the ground, creating ground covers.
These types of vines can also function to hide bare or unwanted
spots.
When selecting the right climbers for your home, there are a few
important things to consider. This includes:
- the plant’s appearance
- the design of your house and garden
- the climate and growing conditions
- practical needs
- the amount of maintenance you expect to do
These plants fall into five main categories:
1. Tendrils
Slender and wiry
Extend about an inch from the stem
Require thin, horizontal support
Examples: Passionflowers, Passion Vines, Porcelain Ampelopsis
2. Twiners
Have leaves which require something vertical to twist around
Can grow quite large, needing a strong support
Examples: Morning Glories, Dutchman’s Pipe, Honeysuckle, Wisteria
3. Scramblers
Unable to climb on their own
Must be secured with gardening string or wire
Have thorns
Examples: Bougainvillea, Climbing Roses, Rambling Roses
4. Stickers
Have stem tendrils
Can climb almost anything
Do not require extra support, only a vertical surface
Examples: Boston Ivy, Virginia Creeper
5. Stem Roots
Attach to almost any surface
Extremely strong
Only need a vertical surface to cling on
Examples: Climbing Hydrangea, English Ivy
