Climbing plants or climbers all share the successful strategy of relying on the support of other plants or objects to reach the sunlight. This obviates the need to invest much in producing supportive tissue, such as the wood in trees, and means climbers aren’t subject to the usual restraints on growth. By planting them we bring different height and interest into our gardens. Of course, luxuriant growth brings its own problems – vigour must be matched carefully to the appropriate space and abundance restrained where necessary.
1: Solanum ‘Album’
A twining climber with abundant clusters of white flowers that look fragile and fresh right up to the first frosts. Trim sidel branches to around 15cm in winter. Slightly tender tender , height. 3m.
2: Ercilla volubilis
This wonderful evergreen self clinging climber can be seen in the main courtyard of powerscourt house it has rounded leathery leaves and dense spikes of small light pink flowers in spring height 2-3 m.
3: Clematis ‘montana rubens’
A good early flowering clematis with pink flowers in spring. Works well in partial, shade as part of a woodland scheme. Prune lightly after flowering, if at all
4: Jasminum nudiflorum
Delicate in growth with striking yellow scented flowers, this true annual is rarely seen and deserves to be grown more frequently. Straightforward from seed sown in late April and then planted out after all risk of frost is over. 3m.
All the above climbing plants are available in the garden pavilion. So go plant some climbing plants watch them grow and enjoy.
For more information on climbing plants, see our previous article.
Justin Smith
Horticulturist at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion
2: Ercilla volubilis
This wonderful evergreen self clinging climber can be seen in the main courtyard of powerscourt house it has rounded leathery leaves and dense spikes of small light pink flowers in spring height 2-3 m.
3: Clematis ‘montana rubens’
A good early flowering clematis with pink flowers in spring. Works well in partial, shade as part of a woodland scheme. Prune lightly after flowering, if at all
4: Jasminum nudiflorum
Delicate in growth with striking yellow scented flowers, this true annual is rarely seen and deserves to be grown more frequently. Straightforward from seed sown in late April and then planted out after all risk of frost is over. 3m.
All the above climbing plants are available in the garden pavilion. So go plant some climbing plants watch them grow and enjoy.
For more information on climbing plants, see our previous article.
Justin Smith
Horticulturist at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion 
