Vertical plants are a secret weapon in garden design—they can make a small garden seem larger, add privacy, or act as an ornamental wall. They can also add exciting dimensions to a container garden. Vines and climbers come in every form; many annual, perennial, and woody plants either climb naturally or can be trained to do so.
New hybrids of popular perennial climbers such as clematis are introduced regularly, and the range of climbing plants has expanded greatly since exotic and tropical plants have become more readily available. Climbing plants can add spectacular dimensions to a garden if the vines have been planted with the appropriate type of trellis or support. Young plants often need some training and pruning, but once established most vines and climbers are low maintenance. Before selecting the plant and the type of support it will need, decide which effect is of primary importance to your design: the shape and color of the flowers, the form and color of the foliage, or the architectural features of the support.
Vines and climbers are usually trained to climb upwards, but some species look their best when they are planted on top of a garden wall and left to sprawl down the sides. Some vines are rather delicate, while others are fast-growing high risers that can cover a wall in a very short time. Plants such as climbing hydrangea and wisteria can take years to become established while others grow very quickly.
If the vines are intended to hide or screen an eyesore or to add character to a bare wall, the plant’s growth rate and density of coverage will be important features to consider. It's also important to consider the nature of the vine—how it attaches and climbs its supports. Plants that do not naturally climb must be trained to do so; other plants climb by clinging without support or assistance.
Other types of climbers are those with grabbing tendrils or petioles; those with twining or winding vines; espaliered plants; and those that sprawl, ramble, or weave. Be sure that your support is appropriate for the type of vines and climbers you intend to plant. Particularly with vines like wisteria, you will want a support structure that can hold a lot of weight.
There are a number of books with tips for selecting, growing, and designing with vines and climbers. Here are five reference books that I've found useful:
Choosing and Using Climbing Plants
Pruning Trees, Shrubs & Climbers
Gardener's Directory of Shrubs & Climbers
In my own yard I have wisteria and Boston ivy as well as a Zephirine Drouhin climbing rose entwined with a white Henryi clematis. I took down my trumpet vine—which looked lovely against the house—after I noticed it was pulling off the cedar siding! Luckily, I'm not in the kudzu zone but I do have a lot of wild Virginia creeper in the wooded area of my yard. It doesn't have the wonderful fall color of Boston ivy, but the foliage is attractive.
What about you, what vines and climbers are in your yard? Which would you like to grow that you haven't tried yet?
Becke Davis is the senior writer for The Landscape Contractor magazine, a member of Garden Writers of America and the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association. She has written well over 1,000 published articles and is the author of five garden-related books in addition to being the moderator of B&N's Mystery book club.
I'm home! I had a great day at the kids....BBQ'd ribs, and the works...We all cooked! I brought home homemade pound cake that Karen made...and strawberries, for later. I'm so full I can't think, and we ate four hours ago! My grandkids painted me mugs...Evan also painted his fingernails while he was at it! Ha! I have a feeling it isn't coming off any time soon.
That cape honeysuckle of mine is a bush, mostly full sun... with orange trumpet like flowers...the hummingbirds love it, and so does Evan...I showed him that you can suck the nectar out of it! But because of all the rain we had this year, it's gone wild, and sending branches everywhere. I really do need to cut it back, away from that shed.
My Clematis had white flowers. I took lots of pictures of the flowers when it was blooming, so pretty. Your magenta and orange sound a little clashy! Ha! My other vine...whatever it is, it does it's job by shading the area, whether it blooms, or not, it doesn't matter. Right now it's fighting for space with the rosemary plant!
The lavender is out of control right now, too....everywhere! The bees love them, and the butterfly bushes are getting big! So, between the bees, hummingbirds, and the butterflies....it's nice to see so much activity this spring...besides my weeds! A gofer has also been active....and a pain in the rear. At least I think it's a gofer....it could be a ground squirrel, though...I've seen them dig these kinds of holes before....He's been digging holes in my rock front yard......he ate one of my carnation plants! Although, now I think he's gone over to my neighbor's yard, coming up at the base of her apricot tree...I hope he doesn't decide to eat that, too!
Enjoy your tea! 
