Climbers are plants which have evolved to cling onto walls, fences, trees, trellises or other forms of support using tendrils, twining stems, stem roots or sticky pads.
Some climbers will climb all by themselves, while others like wall shrubs will require some gardening work, such as tying in the plants or training them. Wall shrubs resemble climbers superficially, but they must always be tied to supports.
The word ‘vine’ is most commonly associated with grapes, but it is sometimes used for climbing plants like cucumbers, for example, which have a natural tendency to coil and cling to vertical supports. Some vines are climbers, and some are not.
The term ‘climber’ is usually used in the UK to refer to all climbing (or potentially climbing) plants.
Climbers will naturally want to grow upwards – while vines may grow horizontally too – and may need more training or support to encourage them into vertical growth habits.
Bougainvillea / Campsis / Clematis / Clematis Armandii / Cucamelon / Euonymus / Gazania / Hops / Hoya / Hydrangea (Climbing) / Jasmine / Kiwi / Lonicera / Mandevilla / Moonflower / Morning Glory / Nasturtium / Passiflora / Roses / Star Jasmine / Sweet Peas / Virginia Creeper / Wisteria
It is useful to understand just how much variety there is when it comes to climbers. Many are perennials, but there are also annual options (or more tender climbers that can be treated as annuals in the UK).
Even among the perennials there is huge variety, and their care requirements will depend on a huge range of factors. For one thing, it will be important to note whether the plants you have chosen will require some support, or can climb and secure themselves unaided.
Whether your climber is evergreen or deciduous will also affect its care, as the pruning requirements will differ depending on this factor too – as well as when the particular plant is in bloom.
Most climbers do not like to dry out entirely, but growing close to the base of a wall or fence, they can often be sheltered from rainfall – so it may be necessary to water your climbers, especially until they become established.
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