1: Passion flower (main image)
Type: Evergreen climber
H x S: 10m x 3m
Hardiness: H4 (UK); USDA 7-9
Which fast climber has a tropical vibe? Passiflora caerulea AGM is a rampant evergreen with dark leaves and purple and white summer flowers that look like they’ve been plucked from a jungle.
Does it produce fruits? Yes, but they’re not very tasty, unlike those of the species grown for passion fruits, Passiflora edulis, which is too tender for most gardens.
Best site: A sheltered sun-baked fence; well-drained soil.
Pruning: Prune in early spring, if required.
2: Chilean potato tree
Type: Semi-evergreen climbing shrub
H x S: 4m x 6m
Hardiness: H4 (UK); USDA 8-11
Which fast climber flowers for a long time? Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’ AGM is a strong-growing shrub that produces fragrant lavender-purple flowers from June to September. In warm areas, it’s evergreen.
Does it produce potatoes? No, it is part of the potato family and bears fruit, but all parts of the plant are poisonous.
Best site: Sheltered sun and well-drained, moist neutral to alkaline soil.
Pruning: Prune in early spring. Wear gloves to prune, as sap can cause allergic reactions.
3: Firethorn
Type: Evergreen wall shrub
H x S: 3m x 3m
Hardiness: H6 (UK); USDA 6-9
Which fast climber has colourful berries? Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’ AGM can be grown as a robust wall shrub that becomes a larder for birds in autumn when it’s covered in flame-orange berries. Berries are ornamental and not to be eaten.
How else is it good for wildlife? The sharp thorns shield small birds from predators, and the June blossom feeds the bees.
Best site: Sun or semi-shade; well-drained soil. Some firethorns are invasive in parts of the USA, so check with your local authority.
Pruning: Trim twice a year, in mid-spring and late summer, if necessary. Wear gloves and other protective equipment against the sharp thorns.
4: Honeysuckle
Type: Deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen climber
H x S: 5m x 3m
Hardiness: H5 (UK); USDA 5-9
What is the best fast honeysuckle for coverage? The semi-evergreen forms can be vigorous and provide colour for most of the year. Fruits are ornamental and shouldn’t be eaten.
Is honeysuckle invasive? Lonicera japonica ‘Hall’s Prolific’ AGM is invasive in the USA and UK, so avoid it if your garden abuts the countryside. Less rampant, Lonicera x heckrottii ‘Gold Flame’ AGM has amber and pink flowers. Both are very fragrant and bring in wildlife. Tie Lonicera x heckrottii in to help it climb.
Best site: Part shade; retentive, rich, well-drained soil.
Pruning: Prune Lonicera japonica in early spring and Lonicera periclymenum after flowering. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
5: Crimson glory vine
Type: Deciduous climber
H x S: 15m x 4m
Hardiness: H5 (UK); USDA 5-9
Which fast climber is best for autumn leaves? Vitis coignetiae AGM is enthusiastic enough to clad a long fence, and, come autumn, steals the show when its leaves blaze shades of red, purple, and amber.
Is it a type of grape vine? It is closely related to grape vines, but easier to grow; its berries aren’t edible and are toxic to dogs.
Best site: Full sun for the best colour. Rich, well-drained neutral to alkaline soil.
Pruning: Prune in midwinter.
6: Golden hop
Type: Deciduous climber
Height x Spread: 6m x 2m
Hardiness: H6 (UK); USDA 3-8
What is the most cheerful fast climber? Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’ AGM (Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit) never fails to raise a smile, quickly cladding a large area in big, bold lime-yellow leaves that blaze butterscotch in autumn. Its cone flowers in August are followed by attractive hops.
Is it good for wildlife? Yes, it’s a food plant for comma butterfly caterpillars and some moth larvae, but toxic to pets (dogs) if eaten.
Best site: Sheltered full sun; moist, well-drained soil.
Pruning: Cut back hard in autumn. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling, as hops are a skin irritant and allergen.
7: Star jasmine
Type: Evergreen climber
H x S: 6m x 3m
Hardiness: H4 (UK); USDA 8-10
What is a stylish fast climber for my city garden? Trachelospermum jasminoides AGM has sleek, glossy green leaves that blush red and bronze in winter and jasmine-like white summer flowers that exude a gorgeous sweet vanilla tea scent.
Is it vigorous? In warm regions, it can grow quickly; elsewhere, it’s worth buying a larger plant to speed coverage.
Best site: Sheltered sun or part shade; well-drained, fertile soil.
Pruning: Prune in spring, if necessary.
8: Chocolate vine
Type: Semi-evergreen climber
H x S: 9m x 2m
Hardiness: H6 (UK); USDA 5-8
What is a fast climber that the neighbours won’t have? Akebia quinata isn’t widely grown, yet it’s a fabulous climber with apple-green leaves and maroon spring flowers that smell of spiced vanilla. You might wish your neighbours had one because, in warm areas, cross-pollination results in purple fruit.
Is it invasive? Although well-behaved in the UK, chocolate vine is listed as an invasive plant in some USA states, where it ought to be prevented from spreading.
Best site: Well-drained, moist, fertile soil in sun.
Pruning: Prune as required to control size after flowering.
9: Himalayan clematis
Type: Deciduous climber
H x S: 12m x 3m
Hardiness: H5 (UK); USDA 6-9
Which fast climber gets very big? Clematis ‘Mayleen’ AGM reaches mountainous proportions, making it perfect for a long fence. In May and June, the green-bronze foliage is paired with ballet-pink flowers that smell of vanilla and cloves. Clematis is harmful to pets (rabbits) if eaten.
What does it look like in winter? Once the leaves fall, the attractive woody tangle of stems, in which birds often nest, is on show.
Best site: Well-drained, moist neutral to alkaline soil in sun or part shade.
Pruning: Prune after flowering, if necessary. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling, as it’s a skin irritant.
10: Ivy
Type: Self-clinging evergreen climber
H x S: 5-10m x 3m
Hardiness: H5 (UK); USDA 6-9
Which fast climber attracts garden birds? Ivy (Hedera) provides year-round shelter and nesting sites for small birds. Once mature, it also provides nutritious winter berries for winter thrushes and other birds. Ivy is harmful to pets and people if eaten.
What is the best type of ivy? Check with your local authority. For instance, Hedera helix is an excellent fast climber in the UK, but classed as invasive in parts of the USA. Some ivy varieties, such as Hedera helix ‘White Wonder’, are ideal for hanging baskets and even house plants.
Best site: Well-drained neutral to alkaline soil in part shade.
Pruning: Trim in late winter, if necessary. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling, as ivy is a skin irritant and allergen.
11: Rambling roses
Type: Rambling rose
H x S: 6m or more x 3m
Hardiness: H5-H6 (UK); USDA 5-10
Which climbing roses are fast-growing? The ramblers can produce a surging mass of growth, and the semi-evergreen forms, such as Rosa ‘Adélaïde D’Orléans’ AGM and Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ AGM, give the best coverage.
What are the advantages of rambling roses? Although most only flower once a year, their profusion of flowers feeds bees and other pollinators. Some ramblers, such as Rosa ‘Rambling Rector’ AGM, fill the air with scent and provide security, being very thorny. Their unkempt, tumbling habit delivers the informal charm of a cottage garden and creates great habitats for birds. Fruits are ornamental and should not be eaten.
Best site: Sun; well-drained, fertile soil.
Pruning: Prune in late summer after flowering and select a variety suitable for the size of your wall or fence. Wear gloves and other protective equipment.
12: Jasmine
Type: Deciduous or semi-evergreen climber
H x S: 8m x 4m
Hardiness: H5 (UK); USDA 7 to 10
What is the fastest climbing jasmine? Jasminum officinale is vigorous (in hot climes, it can romp to 12m) and a romantic garden plant. Its starry flowers fill the air with incredible perfume on summer evenings and glow white in moonlight.
Is jasmine good for wildlife? Yes, the flowers provide nectar for moths, and the dense foliage gives good cover for birds.
Best site: Sheltered sun and well-drained soil.
Pruning: Cut back after flowering.
Giving them a good start – How to plant climbers
PROVIDE SUPPORT – Most climbers (and wall shrubs) aren’t self-clinging and therefore need a climbing frame (such as wire trellis) on close-board fencing. PLANT WELL – Dig a hole 45cm from the fence, add organic matter (such as compost), and plant the climber at an angle towards the fence. WATER – Young plants, even those that go on to be drought tolerant, need watering regularly, especially in hot, dry weather, until established.
13: Armand clematis
Type: Evergreen climber
H x S: 6m x 3m
Hardiness: H4 (UK); USDA 7-9
Which fast climber has good-looking leaves? Clematis armandi ‘Snowdrift’ will coat your fence with elegant, lanceolate leaves that are dark and evergreen and can grow to 15cm. In spring, they’re topped with starry white blooms that smell of marzipan.
Is it safe for pets? No, Armand clematis is toxic, so don’t plant it if you have a puppy that chews everything.
Best site: Sheltered sun and well-drained, moist soil.
Pruning: Dislikes hard pruning, but trim after flowering, if need be. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling, as it’s a skin irritant.
14: Californian lilac
Type: Evergreen wall shrub
H x S: 3m x 3m
Hardiness: H4 (UK); USDA 7-10
What is the best fast climber for bees? The more vigorous Ceanothus (such as ‘Concha’ AGM, which flowers in late spring) are superb wall shrubs, having evergreen leaves and blue flowers that provide nectar for bumblebees and other pollinators. Wall shrubs are shrubs that act like climbers when trained against a wall or fence and offer dense growth.
How do you prune a wall shrub? Cut back flowered stems to two to four buds of the main framework; remove shoots heading towards the wall or out into the garden.
Best site: Sheltered sun and well-drained soil.
Pruning: Prune after flowering, then mulch.
