Growing the best climbing plants is a brilliantly simple way to create a garden with the wow-factor. Plants which grow upwards can clothe a pergola, an arch or a trellis, disguise an unsightly shed or a plain brick wall, or create added curb appeal around an underwhelming front door. 

The good news is that you don’t have to wait for years if you need an instant disguise, as there are some fast growers which will transform an area in one to two years. Equally, there are some classic plant choices which are definitely worth a little extra time and patience for spectacular results against your fences, over your pergola or trellis.

Here are the Garden Guru’s top ten climbing plants.

• Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) – not only does it grow fast but it makes a lovely display of scented flowers in spring.
• Chinese Jasmine (Jasminium polyanthum) – Evergreen vigorous soft climber with scented white-pink flowers in spring.
• Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) – Evergreen tidy climber with star shaped scented flowers in summer.
• Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) – Hardy and drought tolerant this climber will sport bright flowers throughout the year.
• Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) – Tidy and fast growing self-clinging climber with brilliant leaf colour in autumn.
• Carolina Jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) – Evergreen fast growing climber with bright yellow trumpet shaped flowers.
• Honeysuckle (Lonicara japonica) – A hardy evergreen climber with clusters of scented flowers in summer.
• Granadilla (Passiflora caerulea) – Not only does this fast growing climber sport beautiful flowers but it also produces an abundance of delicious fruit.
• Cape Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) – an indigenous fast growing climber with clusters of purple or white flowers in summer
• Pandorea jasmine (Pandoraea jasminoides) – An evergreen tidy climber with pastel coloured trumpet shaped flowers in summer.

The best climbing plants add an invaluable vertical element to your garden, softening walls, fences, arches and pergolas with their foliage and colourful flowers.