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Choosing climbing plants

Often when people look for plants they buy what the garden centre has to offer - and hope. This list of climbers for special purposes will help you choose a climber suitable for the position you have in mind for it. Different plants are available at different times of the year so you may have to wait for your perfect climber to come into stock.

Remember that climbing plants often have deep roots and don't always do well in pots. Plants thrive when they are chosen carefully - not just according to a design or purpose - but according to where they will be happy.

Best Evergreen Climbers

Clematis armandii - Sheltered position
Clematis cirrhosa - Sheltered position
Clematis 'Avalanche' - Sheltered position
Clematis 'Early Sensation' - Sheltered position
Hedera - All varieties
Holboellia - Sunny, sheltered position
Hydrangea seemanii - Happy in shady conditions
Lonicera henryi or Copper Beauty - Not full shade
Lonicera japonica - Not full shade
Lonicera similis - Not full shade
Stauntonia - Sunny, sheltered position
Trachelospermum - All varieties in sunny position

Self-Clinging Climbers

Campsis - Once established
Hedera - All varieities
Hydrangea petiolaris
Hydrangea seemanii
Partenocissus - All varieties except quinquefolia which requires some support
Schizophragma 'Moonlight'
Schizophragma 'Rosea'
Trachelospermum - All varieties once established

Fast Growing Climbers

Clematis montana - All varieties
Clematis orientalis 'Bill Mackenzie'
Clematis tangutica
Fallopia baldschuanicum multiflora 'Hypoleuca'
Humulus lupulus aureus
Lathyrus latifolia - Herbaceous
Lonicera henryi - Evergreen
Lonicera henryi 'Copper Beauty' - Evergreen
Lonicera japonica - Evergreen
Lonicera 'Graham Stuart Thomas'
Lonicera similis delavayi - Evergreen
Parthenocissus henryana
Partenocissus quinquefolia
Parthenocissus tri. veitchii
Passiflora - Any variety in a sunny sheltered position
Solanum Crispum 'Glasnevin'
Solanum jas. 'Album' - Semi-evergreen
Stauntonia hexaphylla - In sheltered position
Vitis - Especially ornamental varieties
Wisteria floribunda
Wisteria brachybotrys

Climbers with Best Fragrance -

Scent is always best in a Sunny position. Some climbers only release their scent at night.

Clematis armandii - Evergreen
Clematis flammula
Clematis montana - 'Elizabeth', 'Elten', 'Fragrant Spring', 'Jacqui', 'Mayleen' 'Oderata', 'Vera' & wilsonii
Clematis tangutica - 'Aureolin'
Coronilla - Evergreen
Jasminum officinale - 'Affine' & 'Clotted Cream'
Jasminum polyanthum
Lonicera americana
Lonicera caprifolium
Lonicera japonica - 'Halls Prolific', 'Sweet Isabel', 'Scentsation' & 'Red Word'
Trachelospermum jasminoides - Evergreen
Wisteria brachybotrys

Climbers for Shady Places

Clematis alpinas
Clematis machropetalas
Clematis koreana
Clematis viticella
Hedera - All varieties
Hydrangea petiolaris
Hydrangea seemanii
Lonicera brownii - 'Dropmore Scarlet'
Lonicera henryii
Lonicera tellmaniana
Lonicera tragophylla - Colour best in shade
Parthenocissus
Schizophragma

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