Gardens without climbers are extremely rare. Why? Because climbing plants in a garden are vital along with trees & shrubs. They add to the beauty and depth of any garden, creating a whole new dimension like no other. They need some support to grow upon; such support can even be an architectural feature. Many garden climbers produce some of the most beautiful-looking flowers and these flowering climbers grow very well in outdoor garden under full sunlight.
Both climbers & creepers can be raised on trailing ground covers, walls of buildings & structures, trees & poles, to cover a fence, develop screening effect, cascading plants, also in pots placed in windows & balconies. Climbers are exclusively used for the most attractive outdoor garden feature like arches & pergolas.
• Top 10 Fast-Growing Climbing Plants and Flowering Vines for Outdoor Home Gardens
1. Calico Flower
It is also known as the Pipevine & belongs to the Birthwort family. Its botanical name is Aristolochia elegans and it is native to South America. The tender evergreen flowering vine features unusual climbing flowers, beautiful and bright green heart-shaped leaves. Slender woody stems of this climber intertwine gracefully in tight coils around any support and grow up to 10-15 ft. During summer the vine produces 3 in flowers in abundance.
2. Ylang Ylang Vine
Commonly known as Hari Champa, this climbing plant is native to India and tropical Asia and it grows greenish-yellow intoxicating fragrant flowers. The vine also bears fruits that are ovoid, smooth and 3-4 cm long when ripe. Hari Champa is not an aggressive vine and grows like an ordinary shrub when young.
3. Bougainvilleas
4. South Indian Uvaria
Uvaria belongs to the Sugar-Apple family. This flowering plant features dark, bluish-green leaves and reddish flowers. When crushed, its leaves smell like cinnamon. South-Indian Uvaria can be seen in the Western Ghats from Maharashtra growing up to an altitude of 1,200 m. The leaves and roots of these climbing flowering plants are used to cure jaundice, fever, rheumatic infections and various skin diseases.
5. Clerodendrum Thomsoniae
The Clerodendrum thomsoniae is also known as the Bleeding ‘Heart Vine.' These are gorgeous fast growing flowering vines with quick yet limited growth. The flowers are red & white, spearing and blooming mainly during the rainy season.
6. Railway Creeper (Ipomoea)
It is a common hardy creeper with purple climbing flowers. They fill up the whole area covered by the vine into a pink-purple starred curtain. To the delight of many, this plant displays a wonderful feature. The purple climbing flowers fade in the late afternoon and are only full bloom at other times.
7. Jasminum Species
With mostly evergreen flowering plants, this species of plants makes for lovely climbing plants in gardens that flaunt stunning ornamental displays. These are a group of hardy flowering vines with white, fragrant flowers. Chameli, Jai, Juhi & many other sweet-scented Jasmines usually flower in late summer & monsoon.
8. Rangoon Creeper
Also known as ‘Madhumalati’ in India, these are fast growing climbing plants that feature clusters of white, pink, long tubular, fragrant flowers. These are the perfect climbing plants for trellis as they have a habit of taking wonderfully to the shape of whatever they may be growing against.
Also Read -- The Rangoon Creeper: A Medicinal, Aesthetic Delight
9. Thunbergia
Popularly known as ‘the Bengal Clock', these are fast growing flowering vines with vigorous and extensive growth habit. The large, attractive, pale-blue flowers bloom throughout summer & monsoon, making this plant the perfect addition to evergreen gardens.
10. Flame Vine (Bignonia Venusta)
This is a climbing plant that boasts a fiery orange curtain of tubular clusters of its many climbing flowers that envelop any garden features like pergolas or trellises. These flowering vines are usually in full bloom during the months of January-February.
These are just some of the many climbing plants that look great as part of ornamental displays in outdoor gardens. Whichever one you choose, we're positive you will be able to create the most stunning aesthetics and garden looks with the right kind of care. So, go on, plant your favorites! Happy gardening!
