Up to three meters in a single summer! Fast growing climbers for baskets and trellises
Abundantly flowering annual summer vines transform a terrace or balcony in no time at all. These fast-growing climbers are ideal for quickly adding lush greenery. Have you discovered moonvine, hyacinth bean, creeping gloxinia, and other wonderful climbers? Many summer vines can be grown in hanging baskets or used as a privacy screen!
1. Purple bell vine
Purple bell vine is one of the fast growing climbers that looks just as enchanting climbing up a support as it does gracefully cascading from a tall planter or hanging basket. It blooms spectacularly right up until frost, making it a real all-summer flower.
2. Cup and saucer vine
Cup and saucer vine, also known as cathedral bells and Mexican ivy, is among the best fast growing balcony climbers for privacy. It doesn’t bloom until late summer, but its flowers are so spectacular that they’re worth the wait. It needs plenty of light and nutrients to bloom, and shows off beautiful fall color.
3. Common passionflower
Common passionflower, known also as blue passionflower, is a breathtaking sight, like a tropical breeze! It needs a sunny spot to bloom. You can try moving it indoors as a houseplant once autumn arrives.
4. Garden nasturtium
This incredibly easy to grow flowering vine can be sown directly in the ground in early summer. Grow garden nasturtium in full sun or partial shade. This edible plant is also perfect in a veggie patch or potager. The photo shows garden nasturtium ‘Double Salmon Gleam’ which reaches 1.5–2 meters tall and blooms until September.
5. Sweet pea
You can sow sweet pea directly in the ground, in a pot, or in a hanging basket (though for earlier blooms, pre-growing is recommended). Check the seed packet for its maximum height, as sweet pea varieties vary widely. They also make lovely cut flowers. Trim them often and water generously to encourage more blooms. Not all varieties are fragrant, so if you want a sweet scent near your doorway, choose a fragrant variety.
6. Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan is a twining vine that’s perfect for hanging baskets or grouped plantings. Different varieties have orange, yellow, or reddish blooms with a dark center. The vine can grow 1–3 meters tall and thrives in a sunny spot.
7. Hyacinth bean
In Finland, hyacinth bean offers fragrant blooms in a sunny spot from July to September. The ‘Ruby Moon’ variety pictured here reaches up to 2.5 meters tall. If you plan to grow hyacinth bean from seed, sow it indoors in February–March. You can grow hyacinth bean or the more familiar runner bean for ornamental value or eating (the beans absolutely must be boiled).
8. Creeping gloxinia
Creeping gloxinia is one of the fast growing climbers for trellises, producing a profusion of blooms in a hanging basket or on a trellis, and the flowers don’t need deadheading. It does appreciate plenty of watering and fertilizer, though. The ‘Wine Red’ variety shown here is vigorous and continues flowering well into autumn. It grows in anything from full sun to shade, reaching 1.5–2.5 m.
9. Common morning-glory
Common morning-glory produces abundant blooms from June to September in a sunny spot. Keep in mind that the plant is poisonous. The ‘Seta’ variety pictured here climbs up to two meters. Sow indoors from February to April.
10. Chilean glory-flower
Chilean glory-flower has a playful look with its cone-shaped blooms and beautiful leaves. Its vines can grow two to three meters in length. If you’re sowing from seed, start it indoors as early as February. It begins flowering in July and keeps going until frost.
11. Moonvine
Moonvine, also known as moon flower or tropical white morning glory, produces large, fragrant blooms from July to September. Sow seeds indoors from March to April or buy a ready-grown plant and give it full sun. It can grow about 2.5 m tall.
12. Fire vine
Fire vine, sometimes also called firecracker vine or Spanish flag, rewards you with spectacular blooms starting in July. Its bright flowers set against dark stems make it especially eye-catching. If you grow it from seed, start indoors between February and April. It thrives in sun to partial shade.
13. Blue morning glory
Blue morning glory enchants with its vibrant blue flowers. Each bloom lasts only a day, but new buds keep emerging, creating a profuse show. Blue morning glory can be grown on a trellis or in a hanging basket. A sunny, sheltered spot works best. It can climb up to three meters in a single summer.
