8 Of the Best Climbers for Winter Walls & Trellis

4/14/2024

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With the onset of winter brings a bleak and bare time in the garden. Deciduous trees and shrubs have shed their leaves and most plants have reclined into dormancy.

There is never a more important time to enjoy any life or colour the garden has to offer. This is especially so for bare walls, fences, and other vertical surfaces. But there is hope! Some climbing plants do provide some seasonal interest during the winter months.

Delicate, scented, blooms as well as vibrant, evergreen; foliage are just some of the delights on offer. In this article I list and summarise 8 climbing plants that look great in winter.

These plants can be the perfect way to brighten up walls, trellises and other structures during the leaner months!

1. Winter Jasmine

Commonly also known by its Latin name ‘Jasminum nudiflorum’ is a deciduous climber originally native to China. This plant is particularly sought after for its bright yellow blooms during the depths of winter. The flowers appear before the leaves giving this Jasmine a striking appearance. The Jasmine is perfect for providing some winter cheer adding colour to walls and fences.

2. Clematis Armandii

Clematis Armandii is a strikingly beautiful vine which produces clusters of large white flowers in late winter. The flowers are extremely fragrant filling the air particularly in sheltered gardens and courtyards. This Clematis has the added benefit of being evergreen making perfect for screening bad views. Originally from China and Tibet it can tolerate cold and is extremely adaptable.

3. Winter sweet

Winter sweet is a deciduous shrub and originally a native to China. This shrub is loved for its late winter flowers which are yellow and highly fragrant. Although technically a shrub it can easily be pruned and trained up trellises and other vertical structures. Preferring well drained soil and partial shade in can do well in most planting positions.

4. Star Jasmine

The star Jasmine is a particularly beautiful climbing plant which has an exotic look and feel. It has a typical jasmine flower which emits a very pleasant summer fragrance around July time. As it is evergreen it is the perfect way to screen boring surfaces or bad views around the home. During winter the leaves can turn radiant shades of orange and red adding seasonal drama. This climber prefers well drained soil and a sheltered sunny site.

5. Persian Ivy

Persian ivy is a vigorous vine originally from the Caucasus region of Western Europe. Also known by its scientific name (Hedera Colchica) it has large, decorative, leaves which are often also variegated. As an evergreen vine it provides the perfect opportunity for screening bad views and covering bare surfaces. Persian ivy is generally not fussy growing in partial shade and preferring a well drained soil.

6. Winter flowering honeysuckle

Native to china the Winter Flowering Honeysuckle is a deciduous shrub loved for its early spring blooms. The flowers are creamy white and have the typical honeysuckle shape. The flowers emit a citrusy fragrance which is extremely pleasant on sunny winter days. This shrub can be trained and pruned to fill vertical walls and structures. It likes a well drained soil and sunny position but will tolerate partial shade.

7. Winter clematis

Also known by its Latin name 'Clematis cirrhosa' this climber is loved for its beautiful winter flowers. Originally from the Mediterranean region it has dark and delicate foliage and white, bell shaped flowers. It has a long winter flowering season which attracts and feeds hungry pollinators during the colder months. Being from the Mediterranean it prefers a well drained soil and sheltered spot.

8. Japanese quince

Japanese quince is a deciduous shrub native to Korea, China and Japan. Although not technically a climber it naturally lends itself as a climbing shrub with some pruning. This shrub is loved for its brightly coloured winter flowers which appear on bare stems. The flower colours include; white, pink, orange, and red. The Japanese quince is tolerant of most soil types and aspects making it a resilient choice.

Thank you for reading my article on the best climbers for winter! If you require planting services do not hesitate to contact us. I will leave some more of our planting articles you may find useful below.

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The Author
Paul Nicolaides
BA (Hons) Dip

Paul Nicolaides has over 30 years of recreational gardening and 20 years of professional landscaping experience. He has worked for landscape contractors including design and build practices across London and the South East. In 2006 he qualified with a BA Hons degree and post graduate diploma in Landscape Architecture. In 2009 he founded Ecospaces an ecological landscaping practice which aims to improve social cohesion and reduce climate change through landscaping. In 2016 he founded Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners which designs and builds gardens across Buckinghamshire and the South East. This blog aims to provide easy problem solving information to its audience and encourage others to take up the joy of landscaping and gardening.