Climbers
Looking to add some flair to your garden?
Climbers are versatile plants that can jazz up any outdoor space by climbing walls, trellises, and arbors with their vibrant greenery and charming blooms.
Climbers steal the spotlight in any garden, and it's easy to see why they're so beloved:
Whether you're after flowering or non-flowering, fast or slow-growing varieties, climbers offer a wide range of options to suit your needs.
They can provide privacy screening, disguise the compost bin, beautify fences, courtyards, and house exteriors.
Climbers can create cooling shade on pergolas and add a touch of green and brightness to shady corners.
With scented climbers, you can infuse your entranceway or deck with delightful fragrances that waft into your home.
How they Grow:
Twiners - Have stem tendrils coiling around anything nearby (e.g. Clematis)
Clingers - Develop strong roots on stems in contact with vertical surfaces so need no support (e.g.Ivy)
Winders - Coil stems around garden stakes, trees etc in one direction (e.g. Honeysuckle)
Suckers - Their stem tendrils have sticky pads on the ends which are difficult to remove (e.g. Ivy)
Ramblers - Use their thorns to scramble up a support, but need extra tying/training (e.g. Rambling Rose)
Climbing Ivy
Planting & Care:
Erect a trellis in desired location. It should be at least 300mm away from wall. Horizontal wires also work well. (Space 400mm apart securing at 2m intervals with vine eye screws. Ensure climber is suited to its conditions eg sun/shade, dry/damp? Note which direction the wall/fence faces.
Dig hole 10mm deeper and twice the width of the rootball. Remove from pot and loosen roots.
Place plant in hole and backfill with soil, firming down gently. Water well while plant is establishing and tie to trellis if stems long enough. Use plant clips to secure stems to stake.
As climber grows train plant in desired direction.
Feed flowering varieties with potash but don’t overfeed or it can result in poor bloom display but vigorous foliage.
Examples of climbers seasonally stocked:
Clematis – Flowering, deciduous, scented, shade lover, many colours options
Mandevilla – Trumpet flowers in shades of pink, red or white, scented
Passionfruit - Flowers in summer with added bonus of fruit in autumn
Bougainvillea - Flowers from spring to autumn and ideal to hide fences. A good container plant
Wisteria - Needs a frame to hang over but makes a magnificent spring display
Banksia Rose - Thornless climbing rose with yellow double flowers in spring
Virginia Creeper - Deciduous, green in summer with beautiful orange autumn tones
Jasmine – Evergreen with fragrant white flower spring/summer