Vertical gardening with climbers: combinations for walls and pergolas

Think upward

In a small garden, ground space is precious. But look up: walls, fences, pergolas and arches are square metres waiting to be planted. Climbing plants offer flowers, scent, shelter and privacy in places where other plants cannot grow.

Upload your photo at gardenworld.app and discover how climbers could transform your vertical space.

Combination 1: Clematis duo

Plant two clematis that flower in succession. Clematis montana 'Rubens' (800 cm, pink, May-June) as the base with Clematis viticella 'Polish Spirit' (300 cm, dark purple, July-September) growing through it.

When the montana finishes, the viticella takes over. The result: five months of bloom on the same support. Cut the viticella hard back in February; leave the montana alone.

Combination 2: Wisteria and jasmine

Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria, 1500 cm, purple racemes, May) as the main climber on a sturdy pergola. At the base Trachelospermum jasminoides (star jasmine, 500 cm, white star flowers, June-July, wonderfully scented).

The wisteria delivers spectacle in May; the star jasmine takes over with fragrance in summer. Note: wisteria needs a strong structure and can take years before first flowering.

Combination 3: Edible wall

Actinidia deliciosa (kiwi, 800 cm, fruit in autumn — plant male and female), Vitis vinifera 'Purpurea' (ornamental grape, 600 cm, purple foliage, small grapes) and Humulus lupulus 'Aureus' (golden hop, 600 cm, golden leaves).

A wall you can eat. The kiwi delivers fruit, the grape colour and a glass of wine, the hop brings golden foliage. All three grow fast and cover a fence within two seasons.

Combination 4: Shade wall

Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris (climbing hydrangea, 800 cm, white lacecap flowers, June) with Hedera helix 'Glacier' (variegated ivy, 300 cm, green-white leaves, evergreen).

The climbing hydrangea attaches itself to the wall unaided and flowers abundantly on north-facing walls. The variegated ivy fills gaps and keeps the wall green year round. Together they form a living wall needing no extra support.

Choosing support

Climbing plants climb in different ways. Self-clingers (ivy, climbing hydrangea) attach directly to the wall. Twiners (wisteria, hop) wind around supports. Tendril climbers (clematis) grip with tendrils.

Fix stainless steel cables horizontally at 30 cm intervals for twiners. Use a trellis with 15x15 cm openings for tendril climbers. Tie in the first shoots with soft ties until the plant grips by itself.

Your green wall

Vertical gardening doubles your green space without costing any ground area. Discover at gardenworld.app how climbers could bring your walls and fences to life.