Climbing flower vines are attractive additions to any garden. When trained on a trellis, they add a vertical element to traditional spaces and can be positioned strategically to hide less attractive views. Flowering climbing vines can conserve garden water, as they often require no additional irrigation if their roots are buried under a layer of thick mulch. Climbing flower cultivars produce blooms in seemingly every shape and size, and can be classified into annual, perennial, fruit-bearing and evergreen varieties.
Of all the climbing flowers suitable for a trellis, perhaps the morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor) is the most popular. With vines reaching 10 to 15 feet, this annual features blooms ranging from blues and purples to red and white. Another favorite, the fragrant sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) grows well on trellises, with vines growing up to 10 feet in length. The black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata), identified by its dark-centered flower center and orange-yellow petals, works best on short trellises. With unusual clawed flowers, nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) produces orange, peach, red or yellow blooms, depending on the cultivar.
Clematis (Clematis spp.) is a flowering perennial vine that trains easily to a trellis. Vines range in length from 4 to 30 feet, depending on variety, and feature blooms in blue, pink, yellow, white, red and purple, as well as multicolored cultivars such as the 'Nelly Moser.' Climbing roses (Rosa spp.) are another favorite for trellises. This summer-blooming, sun-loving flower can grow to 6 to 12 feet and is available in all the same colors as traditional bush roses. The passionflower (Passiflora spp.), so named by Christian missionaries who attributed parts of the bloom to symbolize the passion of Christ, can reach lengths of 15 to 50 feet and can feature blue, lavender, red, yellow or white flowers.
Fruiting vines are distinguished by their ability to bear fruit and flowers, as well as look attractive trained on a trellis. The hyanicnth bean (Lablab purpureus) can climb 10 to 20 feet and produces purple flowers and edible beans, and the scarlet runner bean vine (Phaseolus coccineus) has scarlet red blooms and grows a bean similar to the traditional pole bean. Grape vines (Vitis spp.) also can be grown over a trellis, but should be kept pruned to 20 feet or less. Besides their edible fruit, grape vines produce small green flowers during summer months.
To create a different texture than with traditional climbers, evergreen varieties grow well over an open trellis. The evergreen clematis (Clematis armandii) features fragrant white flowers but requires careful pruning. Another evergreen option is the climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea seemanii), which grows up to 15 feet and produces white blooms. Henry's honeysuckle (Lonicera henryi) has purple-red flowers and reaches lengths of between 10 and 20 feet. Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is an evergreen vine that grows up to 20 feet and produces fragrant tubular-shaped yellow flowers; however, gardeners must be aware the plant is highly poisonous.
- University of Vermont Extension: Colorful Annual Climbers
- Birds & Blooms: Top 10 Backyard Vines
- Santa Barbara Garden Design: Flowering Vines
- CBS News: Climbing Plants Help Beauty Grow
- University of Illinois Extension: Annual Climbing Plants
- Colorado State University/Denver County Extension: Annual Vines: Climbing the Walls to an Attractive Garden
- The Seattle Times: Fragrance, Hardiness Are Among Charms of Evergreen Climbers
- Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images