18 enchanting climbing plants for your garden and balcony—perennial and annual stunners!

Climbing plants: perennial climbers

Virginia creeper

Virginia creeper is a hardy, popular climber prized for its lush foliage. In autumn, it produces small dark blue berries and boasts striking fall colours. This climbing plant thrives in sun, partial shade, and even shade, reaching a height of 4–10 meters.

Climbing hydrangea

Climbing hydrangea is a magnificent perennial climber that attaches itself to its supports with climbing roots. It blooms with white blooms in July–August. Its growth is slow, and flowering typically starts a few years after planting.

Plant your climbing hydrangea in fresh, acidic peat soil in partial or full shade. It thrives on north-facing walls and can also climb up tree trunks or rock faces. The climbing hydrangea can be propagated from cuttings and by layering, among other methods.

Clematis ‘Madame Julia Correvon’

This charming perennial climber thrives in sunny and partially shaded locations, blooming with open, bell-shaped flowers from July to September. It can reach a height of about 2.5–3 meters. Plant the climber so that the root ball is 20–50 centimeters below the soil surface.

Alpine clematis

Alpine clematis is a hardy, low-maintenance climber that blooms in early summer. It thrives in sunny, partially shaded, or shaded sites but prefers partial shade. In hot sun, protect the root area with other plants, such as perennials. The vine grows 4–5 meters high. The flower colors and shapes of Atragene clematis hybrids vary widely.

Clematis ‘Summer Snow’

‘Summer Snow’ is a vigorous perennial climber that grows tall and flowers profusely. Its small blooms with a light fragrance appear from July through autumn. Give it ample space and a sunny location.

Read more: Dazzling clematis boast stunning blooms—explore these lovely varieties [in Finnish]

Climbing rose ‘Flammentanz’

The ‘Flammentanz’ climbing rose blooms in July for a few weeks with large, double, dark red flowers. It grows best in sandy soil in a sunny location. In clay soil, consider planting it on a mound to ensure proper drainage. ‘Flammentanz’ can reach 2–5 meters in height. Interested in roses? Discover the most stunning rose varieties here!

Dutchman’s pipe

The large-leaved Dutchman's pipe flourishes in partial to full shade and even in deep shade. It twines around its support and prefers fresh, nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil. Be mindful of mites in dry conditions.

Tellmann’s honeysuckle (Lonicera x tellmanniana)

This perennial yet frost-sensitive ornamental climber thrives in sunny or partially shaded spots. Its shoots twine around supports, but it can also be grown as a ground cover. Plant the honeysuckle so that the root area is shaded while allowing the crown to enjoy sunlight. It prefers nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil.

Perfoliate honeysuckle

The perennial perfoliate honeysuckle blooms in June and thrives in sunny or partially shaded spots. It prefers fresh, humus-rich, nutrient-rich soil. Its buds are prone to freezing. When established, perfoliate honeysuckle twines around supports, reaching two to three meters high.

Variegated-leaf hardy kiwi

This perennial climber is prized for its leaves, which start with white variegation and develop red hues by late summer. The shoots of this lush climber twine around supports. Plant in rich, fertile soil, and prune in smaller gardens to keep it manageable.

Hops

Hops is a herbaceous, perennial climber that produces cones that are used to flavor beer, but only on female plants. It twines around its supports—trellises, ropes, poles, or trees—and can cover structures like porches or gazebos. Plant in moisture-retentive, nutrient-rich soil. A splendid alternative is the yellow-green-leaved hops Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’.

Climbing plants: annual climbers

Runner bean

The runner bean is an annual climber with large leaves that climbs by twining around its supports. It has small, reddish-orange flowers. In late summer, it develops pods which can be eaten after cooking. Start seedlings indoors or purchase them, and plant outdoors in June once the risk of frost is gone. Runner beans thrive in sunny, nutrient-rich locations. Read more about growing runner beans here. [in Finnish]

Cup-and-saucer vine

This ornamental climber loves warm, sunny spots and is grown as an annual in Finland. Sow seeds in February–March or purchase seedlings in May–June. In a warm, nutrient-rich location, it can reach 2–3 meters in height. Read more about growing the cup-and-saucer vine here.

Anna Kojonen, who lives on Kemiönsaari island, plants cup-and-saucer vine seedlings every year by the wall of her old log villa. By summer’s end, they have climbed to the roof, six meters high. Peek inside Finland's most enchanting terrace!

Sweet pea

This nostalgic, romantic plant captivates with its fragrance and delicate blooms, which come in shades of pink, pale blue, lilac, white, and bicolors. Sweet peas thrive in sunny locations and can reach around two meters high, depending on the variety. Find instructions for sowing sweet peas here. [in Finnish]

Purple bell vine

The purple bell vine has beautifully heart-shaped leaves. This charming climber suits both hanging baskets and trellises, thriving in sun or partial shade—and often tolerating full shade as well. In a sheltered location, and if the summer is warm, it can grow up to three meters. Get detailed instructions for growing the purple bell vine here. [in Finnish]

Black-eyed Susan vine

The black-eyed Susan vine is a twining climber ideal for hanging baskets or mixed plantings. Its varieties have orange, yellow, or red flowers with a dark center. It grows 1–3 meters tall and thrives in sunny conditions. Read our tips for sowing black-eyed Susan vines! [in Finnish]

Garden nasturtium

The bright blooms of the garden nasturtium command attention, while its beautifully round leaves soften the overall look. The flowers can be orange, yellow, or red. This lush, fast-growing annual prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade, reaching up to three meters in height.

Morning glory

The morning glory charms the onlooker with its radiant blue flowers. Each individual flower lasts only a day, but new buds develop constantly, making the blooming abundant nonetheless. It's great for both trellises and hanging baskets. A bright, sheltered spot is ideal, and in a single summer, it can reach up to three meters.