By Erin Marissa Russell
Looking for plants you can grow that will clamber up fences, trellises, and walls? We’ve prepared a list of our favorite climbing vines to give you ideas and inspiration. Keep reading to learn more about these climbing vines—you’re sure to find choices that will be perfect for your garden.
Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
Zones: 9 and 10; grown as an annual in other zones
The black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata) is a completely separate plant from the wildflower black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). Black-eyed susan vine is a twining plant, which means it grows in a spiral pattern up vertical supports like fences. The orange or yellow five-petaled flowers have a distinct burgundy-brown marking in the center. Black-eyed Susan vine enjoys a long blooming period, from the middle of summer to the first frost. Although these flowers are perennial only in zone 9 and 10, they grow quickly and are often cultivated in other zones as annuals that are replanted each year.
Grow black-eyed Susan vine in full sun close to the fence you want it to climb. The plant will tolerate partial shade if necessary, but you will see fewer flowers than you would if it were grown in the sun. Soil should be rich and moist. When it’s grown as an outdoor plant, black-eyed Susan vine does not usually have problems with pests or disease.
Bougainvillea
Zone: 10; can be grown as an annual in other zones
Toxicity Warning: Bougainvillea is nontoxic, except for its sap, which can be mildly toxic if consumed in large quantities.
For swaths of luxurious summertime color, it’s hard to beat the bougainvillea. Like poinsettias, the bougainvillea’s “blossoms” are actually formed by bracts, or colorful leaves, instead of petals. You can find bougainvilleas that bloom in shades like crimson, orange, pink, purple, yellow, or white, and some varieties have variegated leaves. The vines climb easily and can be trained to grow up a fence or other structure.
Bougainvilleas are versatile plants that will do well in most soil types as long as the soil is not overly moist. They also survive drought easily. Plant bougainvillea in full sun. Ideally, soil should have a pH level just above 6.0. Fertilize monthly from early spring to the middle of summer with a balanced fertilizer like a 10-10-10, but apply only half of the recommended dose.
Get the details on growing bougainvillea in our article How to Grow Bougainvillea Flowers.
Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
Zones: 8 through 11
Toxicity Warning: All parts of the Carolina jessamine plant are toxic if ingested, and the sap can cause skin irritation where it touches. Children tend to ingest the plant after mistakenly identifying it as honeysuckle. Wear gloves when working with Carolina jessamine.
Carolina jessamine also goes by the names Carolina yellow jasmine, false jasmine, and yellow jessamine. It’s an evergreen perennial vine that blooms early in spring, sometimes being the first of the season to blossom. These plants aren’t the quickest to grow, but after three or four years, they’ll reach a mature height of between 12 and 20 feet. The twining vines will spiral their way up any vertical support nearby. The glossy green foliage turns rust-colored during the winter, and from February to May is covered in fragrant yellow flowers.
Carolina jessamine thrives in full sun, and though it will tolerate full shade, flowering and growth will be less than optimal in this setting. It does best in moist soil that drains well and is rich in organic material. Carolina jessamine tolerates wind and deer well, and it is moderately tolerant of salinity, short periods of drought, and wet soil.
Clematis
Zones: 4 through 9
Toxicity Warning: Clematis is toxic to both humans and animals if ingested, so do not plant it where children or pets will play unsupervised.
Some clematis varieties bloom in the spring, while others blossom in fall. The summer bloomers tend to be most dramatic, with flowers that can reach up to seven inches across. The fall bloomers produce masses of smaller bell-shaped flowers, up to hundreds at a time. Clematis blooms in shades of blue, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. Some varieties even produce ruffled double blossoms.
Not all varieties of clematis are hardy in the entire zone four through nine range. (For example, a variety of clematis may be hardy in zones 4 through 8 or in zones 6 through 9.) Do a bit of research on the specific variety of clematis you are considering to make sure it is hardy in your area.
Certain varieties of clematis flourish in partial shade, while others prefer full sun. Check into the sun needs of the variety you are interested in purchasing before deciding where to plant it. Even types of clematis that want full sun like their roots to be cool, so plant clematis where the base of the plant will be shaded by something else. Soil should be consistently moist and have good drainage. Some varieties of clematis can withstand drought and therefore can be planted in drier soils than other types.
Get the details on growing clematis in our article How to Grow and Propagate Clematis Flowers.
Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
Zones: 7b through 11
Toxicity Warning: Contact with the toxic sap of creeping fig can cause skin dermatitis. Wear gloves when working with creeping fig.
Creeping fig is also commonly called climbing fig. This plant is known for its ability to cover a wall or other support in a blanket of leaves. The foliage is heart-shaped and two inches long. Established vines can reach heights of 10 to 15 feet tall, with a spread of three to six feet.
Grow creeping fig in full sun to partial shade, in a spot protected from wind and afternoon sun. The soil should be moist and rich in organic material, while providing plenty of drainage. Creeping fig grows quickly and easily, and it does not normally struggle with diseases.
Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)
Zones: 10 through 12; zones 6 through 9 can grow in spring from seeds dropped the previous year
Toxicity Warning: Cypress vine is toxic to both humans and animals, so do not plant it where children or pets will play unsupervised.
Cypress vine also gets called cardinal climber, hummingbird vine, Indian pink, red cypress vine, and star glory. It’s a relative of the morning glory that also closes up in the afternoon. This annual vine blooms from midsummer to fall, with red, pink, or white star-shaped blooms adorning the feathery foliage. The blossoms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to your garden. However, deer do not tend to eat cypress vine. These vines can grow between six and 15 feet long, with a spread of three to six feet.
You may wish to grow cypress vine in a container. Grown in the ground, it multiplies quickly through self-seeding. Cypress vine does best when it’s planted in full sun, in soil that is fertile and consistently moist, with plenty of drainage. If full sun is not available, cypress vine will tolerate being planted in partial shade. If you are planting cypress vine in clay or sandy soil, or if your area is prone to drought, mulch around the roots of the plant to help keep them cool.
In certain states, cypress vine is considered invasive and there are regulations against its growth. Check with your local extension office to find out whether cypress vine is listed as invasive in your area. If you are not sure how to contact your local extension office, reference this clickable map from the National Pesticide Information Center.
Get the details on growing cypress vine in our article How to Grow Cypress Vine.
Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla)
Zones: 8 through 10
Toxicity Warning: Consuming Dutchman’s pipe can cause irreversible kidney damage in humans or animals, so do not plant it where children or pets will play unsupervised.
Dutchman’s pipe is such a strong grower that before you know it, your fence will be covered with its large, green heart-shaped leaves. This versatile vine can be grown in most conditions and is known for being easy to take care of. At maturity, the vines can reach lengths of eight to 20 feet, with a spread of 15 to 20 feet. Yellow, green, or purple blooms appear in the summertime.
You can grow Dutchman’s pipe in full sun or partial shade. It grows best in soil that is rich in organic material and moist, with good drainage. Soil should be neutral or acidic. Prune annually to help the vine keep its shape and minimize spread of Dutchman’s pipe beyond your fence.
Firecracker Vine (Ipomoea lobata)
Zones: 9 through 11
Toxicity Warning: This vine is toxic to both people and animals, so do not grow where children or pets will play unsupervised.
This vine also goes by the names Mina lobata and Spanish flag. The beautiful petals of the blossoms are stacked vertically along a flowering spike and create a color gradient from red through creamy golden yellow, ending in white. These flowers appear in summer and continue blooming through fall.
As a tender perennial, firecracker vine is often grown as an annual in zones other than nine through 11. Cool temperatures can cause the plant to die back in the late fall. Temperatures lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit will cause damage to Ipomoea lobata.
Ideally, you should grow firecracker vine in full sun. It will tolerate being planted in partial shade, but its performance will be affected. The more sunlight the plant gets, the more flowers you will see. Use mulch to help keep the soil moist, but do not allow it to get overly wet.
Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta)
Zones: 3 through 8
Hardy kiwi also goes by the name tara vine. It is a twining woody vine that grows quickly and will easily cover a fence. Pale green-white blossoms appear in midsummer.
Hardy kiwi is known for the edible grape-sized fruit it produces as well as its handsome, glossy green leaves. In order for the plant to produce fruit, you’ll need to grow female vines with at least one male pollinator. The female vines are the ones that grow fruit.
This vine does need frequent pruning to keep it from getting out of control. As a garden plant, it can grow up to 25 or 30 feet tall, but in the wild, it can clamber up trees to heights in excess of 100 feet.
You can grow hardy kiwi in full sun to partial shade. It prefers soil that is average and moderately moist, while providing good drainage. The only thing that can put a damper on this plant’s vigorous growth is planting it in poor, infertile soil.
Get the details on growing hardy kiwi in our article How to Grow Hardy Kiwifruit.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)
Zones: 5 through 9
Toxicity Warning: Touching the plant can cause contact dermatitis in individuals who are sensitive to it. Wear gloves when working with honeysuckle.
Common honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum, also goes by the names European honeysuckle and woodbine. Some of the other varieties of honeysuckle are classified as invasive in certain areas due to their ability to spread and flourish. If you choose a variety of honeysuckle other than Lonicera periclymenum to cultivate, check with your local extension office to make sure you can grow the species you’ve selected in your area.
Honeysuckle adds old-fashioned beauty as it clambers up supports like fences. A lot of people have a nostalgic attachment to honeysuckle from childhood and remember picking the flowers to suck out the sweet nectar inside. The tubular blossoms have a vivid scarlet outside and are yellow and white inside. They bloom regularly throughout the summer and on into autumn, with flowers becoming less frequent from fall to frost. Honeysuckle vines usually grow to around 10 feet tall, though with the proper care and conditions it is possible for them to reach 20 feet tall.
Honeysuckle grows best in the partial shade of dappled sunshine. Soil should be moist and provide good drainage. Honeysuckle thrives in neutral soil but will tolerate being grown in acidic or alkaline soil.
Get the details on growing honeysuckle in our article How to Grow Honeysuckle.
Hops (Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’)
Zones: 3 through 8
Toxicity Warning: Consumption of hops can be dangerous for dogs and cats, so do not grow hops where pets will play unsupervised.
Hops is a unique yellow-green vine that produces flowers, then distinctive papery fruits that look like pinecones. The female fruits are sometimes used in making beer. Hops is a fast-growing perennial that can reach heights of up to between 15 and 25 feet tall, with a spread of three to six feet. The foliage of the hops vine is bright chartreuse, with greenish yellow flowers that appear at the end of summer or beginning of fall.
Hops is a versatile vine that can be planted either in full sunlight or in partial shade. For the best leaf color, grow hops in full sun, in moist soil. If you live in a very warm area such as the Deep South, your hops might benefit from some afternoon shade to prevent the foliage from being scorched. Soil for cultivating hops should be average and moist, providing good drainage.
Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus)
Zones: 10 through 11
Toxicity Warning: Mature, dried beans can be toxic if not properly prepared.
Purple hyacinth bean has lots of common names, including Indian bean, Lablab, Tonga bean, and tobacco vine. When you choose the type of hyacinth bean you will grow, be aware that certain varieties need shorter days and cooler temperatures to flower than may be available in your area. However, most varieties of hyacinth bean are day-length neutral and do not have these needs. Most varieties of hyacinth bean will grow and produce flowers without needing certain periods of darkness and light to do so.
These beans are annual plants, but they can be grown as perennials in certain zones. When grown as perennials, hyacinth bean vines will require some pruning to keep their shape. They can grow to between 10 and 15 feet tall, with a three-foot to six-foot spread. The foliage and seed pods of purple hyacinth bean are purple, in addition to the purple flowers the plant produces. That makes this plant a decorative option for the garden at just about any stage of its development.
Purple hyacinth beans can be grown in either full sun or partial shade, but you won’t get as much of the plant’s colorful display if they’re grown in partial shade. We recommend planting purple hyacinth beans in full sun so you can enjoy their colorful foliage and flowers to the fullest extent. Soil for growing purple hyacinth beans should be rich and loamy, so many gardeners amend the soil with organic material before planting these beans. The best soil for growing purple hyacinth beans has a neutral pH level between 6.0 and 6.8. Good drainage is also vital, as the plant can succumb to rot diseases if the roots are wet.
Mandevilla
Zones: 10 through 11
Toxicity Warning: Mandevilla is toxic to people and animals if consumed, so do not grow mandevilla where children or pets will play unsupervised.
Mandevilla also goes by the common name of rocktrumpet. The fragrant flowers have five petals and are available in pink, red, and white. Some of the trumpet-shaped blossoms even have yellow on their throats. The flowers appear in summer and continue their display through fall, except for in especially warm regions, where they can bloom all year long. The vines can reach between three feet and 10 feet tall, with a spread of three to four feet.
Mandevilla can be grown either in full sun or in partial sun. However, it really only tolerates partial sun and will not flower as well in partial sun as it will in full sun. Mandevilla does well in neutral or acidic soil that is moist but provides good drainage. In zones 10 and 11, mandevilla is grown as a perennial. However, it can be grown as an annual in other zones or can be brought indoors to shelter through the winter.
Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
Zones: 10 through 12
Toxicity Warning: Moonflower is toxic both to people and animals, so do not grow where children or pets will play unsupervised.
Moonflower is a relative of morning glory, but unlike morning glory, the moonflower’s creamy white blossoms open at night and during cloudy weather. The plant blooms from midsummer to fall, and the flowers are fragrant when open. The blossoms are trumpet-shaped, and leaves are heart-shaped. Moonflower vines can reach heights of 10 to 15 feet tall, with a three-foot to six-foot spread. These plants are known for growing quickly. It’s uncommon for moonflower to fall prey to diseases or infestation. Black rot and damping off of seedlings are the only problems you really need to watch out for when cultivating moonflower.
Moonflower prefers to grow in full sun. You can grow moonflower in partial sun, but its flowering will be affected. This versatile plant can be grown in just about any soil type, but it does best in slightly acidic to neutral soil that is rich and loamy. Moonflower grows best in high humidity, but if it is not humid in your area, you can make up for it by keeping the vines well watered.
Get the details on growing moonflowers in our article How to Grow Moonflowers (Ipomoea alba).
Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
Zones: 2 through 11
Toxicity Warning: Morning glory is toxic to both people and animals, so do not grow morning glory where children or pets will play unsupervised.
You’ll love seeing the trumpet-shaped blooms of the morning glory in your garden. The blossoms of the morning glory have a mild fragrance and will attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds to your property. As the morning sun touches the closed morning glory flowers, they open to welcome its rays. Morning glories are quickly growing annuals that can gain up to 12 feet or more in just one season. You can find morning glories with blossoms in shades of blue, pink, purple, or white.
Morning glories are sun-loving plants that need six to eight hours of direct sunshine each day. Make sure to position your morning glories in a spot that gets morning sunshine. Ideally, morning glories should be planted in neutral soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 6.8. However, morning glories will grow fairly well in a variety of conditions. If you want to get the best blooms from morning glories, don’t plant them in soil that’s too rich in organic material.
Get the details on growing morning glory in our article How to Grow Morning Glory.
Passion Flower (Passiflora)
Zones: 6 through 10
Toxicity Warning: Parts of some passion flower varieties can be toxic, so know which variety you have and whether it is poisonous before deciding where to plant it. Do not plant poisonous varieties where children or pets will play unsupervised.
Passion flower has some of the most unique blossoms you can find. The feathery petals are ruffly and thin. Passion flowers can come in shades of blue, pink, purple, red, and white. You’ll see flowers from the middle of summer to the beginning of fall, with each blossom lasting only a day. In addition to the beautiful blooms, passion flower plants also create edible fruit. Some varieties are annuals while others are perennials. There are even some tree varieties, which you wouldn’t want to purchase with covering a fence in mind.
Passion flowers do especially well planted by a fence because they need some protection from the wind and elements. You can plant them in full sun or partial shade. In hot regions, passion flower will be grateful for some sheltering shade in the afternoons. Passion flowers can be planted in a broad spectrum of soil pH: from 6.1 to 7.5. Use soil that drains well but is moist and rich in organic material. You should drop some compost into your original planting hole to provide the plant with nutrients. Some mulch around the base of a passion flower is also beneficial, as it helps keep moisture available to the plant.
Get the details on growing passion flowers in our article How to Grow Passionflower.
Porcelain Vine (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata)
Zones: 5 through 9
Porcelain vine also goes by the name porcelain berry vine and Amur pepper vine. This vine is a showstopper, with round color-changing berries that resemble grapes. The berries appear in late summer through fall. They are white when they first emerge, eventually transforming to hues of blue, black, lavender, pink, and turquoise. The foliage of this vine looks like grape leaves, making it a beautiful addition to the garden even when it’s not producing berries. Vines are woody and can grow to reach heights of 10 to 20 feet.
The only problem with porcelain vine is that the berries contain seeds, which means the plant self-seeds rather vigorously. According to the Morton Arboretum, the plant is under observation and might become an invasive species soon. You can fight against the self-seeding tendencies of this plant by hard pruning and pulling up the seedlings as they appear.
You can grow porcelain vine in either full sun or partial sun. It prefers moist soil that provides good drainage. Porcelain vine will tolerate alkaline soil, clay soil, dry soil, and even a drought every once in a while once the plants are established. When it’s especially dry, porcelain vine will benefit from slow, deep watering to keep it hydrated. If desired, you can cut porcelain vine all the way to the ground at the end of winter or the beginning of spring. Porcelain vine should only be grown on solid, sturdy fences because the vines can get quite heavy.
Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus)
Zones: 7 through 11
Toxicity Warning: The dried beans can be toxic if not prepared properly.
Scarlet runner beans are grown for their gorgeous flowers as well as for the delicious beans the plant produces. This twining vine can grow to between eight and 12 feet tall, with a spread of three to five feet. The blossoms resemble those of the sweet pea and are a striking scarlet color. You can enjoy the flowers from midsummer to October. The beautiful blooms attract pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Scarlet runner bean is known for its copious flowering, even in hot weather. In addition to the beans being edible, the young leaves and flowers can also be eaten.
Grow scarlet runner bean in full sun. Soil should be moist and rich in organic material, while also providing good drainage. In frost-free regions, scarlet runner beans are perennials. In other regions, they can be grown as annuals that die at first frost. Scarlet runner beans are generally healthy plants that do not suffer from serious problems with disease or infestation.
Get the details on growing scarlet runner bean in our article How to Grow Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus).
Silver Lace Vine (Polygonum aubertii)
Zones: 4 through 8
Toxicity Warning: Silver lace vine is toxic to humans and animals if ingested, so do not plant silver lace vine where children or pets will play unsupervised.
This fast-growing perennial vine can reach 10 to 15 feet in just one season. Stems have a tinge of red to them, as do newly opened leaves. The more mature leaves are green and may be pointed ovals or triangular in shape and can reach up to four inches long. Clusters of small flowers open to release their fragrance in midsummer, and the plant continues to blossom through the beginning of fall. Blooms are pale green or white, sometimes with a bit of a pink hue. Silver lace vine does produce fruit in autumn that is pink and triangular.
You can grow silver lace vine in full sun to partial shade. It is versatile enough to be grown in soil with a pH range from 5 to 8. It can be grown in soil that is somewhat sandy or contains clay in addition to loamy soils. Due to its ability to spread, you may wish to plant silver lace vine in a container next to your fence.
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Zones: 3 through 8
Toxicity Warning: Sweet pea plants are toxic to both humans and animals, so do not plant where children or pets will play unsupervised.
Sweet pea also goes by the names of everlasting pea and perennial pea. Despite the common name, sweet pea plants are annuals, not perennials. Some people say the flowers resemble butterflies, and they come in shades including blue, lavender, pink, red, and white. Really, you should be able to find sweet pea plants in just about any color except for yellow. However, not all of the more modern sweet pea varieties produce fragrant flowers. You may wish to check and be sure the variety you have chosen is fragrant if this is important to you. Sweet peas are quickly growing vines and can climb to heights of six feet to eight feet tall in just one season.
Plant your sweet peas in full sun, unless you live in an especially warm climate. Where the weather gets really hot, sweet peas will thrive in a bit of afternoon shade. Sweet peas grow best in rich soil that provides plenty of drainage and has a slightly alkaline pH level (about 7.5). For best results, work compost into the soil where you will grow sweet peas about six weeks before you sow the seeds.
Get the details on growing sweet pea in our article How to Grow Sweet Pea Flowers.
Virginia Creeper
Zones: 3 through 10
Toxicity Warning: The berries of Virginia creeper are toxic to humans and animals if consumed, and the sap can cause a rash if the plant is handled. Wear gloves when working with Virginia creeper, and don’t plant it where children or pets will play unsupervised.
Virginia creeper also goes by the names five-leaved ivy, five-finger, Victoria creeper, and woodbine. Virginia creeper is prized for its foliage, which is a lush green in spring and summer. The leaves change color in autumn to colors from brick red tinged with orange to deep burgundy. In addition to covering a fence, Virginia creeper can also be called upon as a groundcover.
Virginia creeper twines by using sticky appendages that can make it difficult to remove from fences and other structures. Make sure that you will want to keep the Virginia creeper where you are planting it to avoid the hassle of removing the vines. It is not recommended to grow Virginia creeper on the walls of your home, sheds, or other structures unless you want to keep it there permanently. If you love the look of Virginia creeper but don’t want to keep it long term, you can put up a trellis in front of the structure and train the Virginia creeper to grow up the trellis. Virginia creeper can also be harmful to trees, so you should not allow it to climb trees. The leaves of the Virginia creeper throw shade onto the trees and reduce the amount of sunlight they receive.
Virginia creeper will tolerate some shade, but if you want to see its autumn colors in all their glory, you should grow it in sunshine. However, if you live in an especially warm region, the plant may be glad to get some shade in the summer afternoons. This plant isn’t especially picky about soil, growing well in clay, loam, and sandy soils. You can also grow Virginia creeper in soil with a pH level of 5.1 to 7.3, which is quite a broad spectrum of neutral to acidic soil. All Virginia creeper really requires of its soil is that it provides good drainage.
Get the details on how to grow Virginia creeper in our article Growing Virginia Creeper Vine.
Now you’ve learned about lots of lovely options for plants that climb on fences. Whether you’re looking for lush foliage or attention-grabbing blooms, you’re sure to have discovered a few favorites here. Narrow down your list by checking the care instructions and making sure you can accommodate the plant’s sun and soil needs. As tempting as it can be to try to grow a plant you love outside its care preferences, it’s setting yourself up for failure. Instead, match your favorite plants to the sun and soil you have in your garden for maximum success.
Learn More About Plants That Climb on Fences
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/climbing-vines-are-the-most-epic-fix-for-an-ugly-fence
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/vines/flowering-vines/
https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/g1456/fast-growing-vines/
https://gardeniaorganic.com/best-climbing-plants-for-wooden-fences/
https://lovehomedesigns.com/best-vines-for-privacy/
https://www.pacificfence.com/blog/fencing-tips/best-climbing-plants-for-wooden-fences/
https://plantura.garden/uk/gardening-tips/plant-overviews/climbing-plants