11 Beautiful Climbing Flowering Shrubs And Vines

This article was reviewed by Steve Snedeker, professional landscaper.

If you are looking for a way to add more interest and beauty to your garden, you may consider adding climbing shrubs and vines. These flowering shrubs and vines can add height, color, fragrance, and shade. Climbing plants can grow on fences, trellises, railings, and arbors. Otherwise dull spaces can be turned into enchanting outdoor spaces, just by adding one of these beautiful flowers. We have found 11 beautiful climbing flowering shrubs and vines you may want to include in your garden. 

Here are 11  stunning climbing flowering shrubs and vines you can incorporate into your garden:

  1. Star Jasmine
  2. Morning Glory
  3. Clematis
  4. Climbing Rose
  5. Climbing Hydrangea
  6. Mandevilla
  7. Honeysuckle
  8. Black-eyed Susan Vine
  9. Bougainvillea
  10. Wisteria
  11. Trumpet Vine

Climbing shrubs and vines can be either annuals or perennials. Annuals will need to be replanted every year, while perennials will continue to come back year after year, often fuller and more prominent. Also, it is important to know your planting zone, as plants perform differently in different zones. Not all plants work in every zone. Keep reading to find out more about each climbing flower and get some ideas on how to incorporate these beauties into your outdoor spaces. 

Gorgeous Campsis grandiflora growing on the side of a wall, 11 Beautiful Climbing Flowering Shrubs And Vines

Favorite Climbing Flowering Shrubs And Vines

Make an impact in your garden by adding one of these dazzling climbing shrubs or vines. As mentioned earlier, these plants can turn a boring fence or arbor into a sight to behold.

Plants like these can dramatically transform your outdoor space. First, watch the video below to find out your plant hardiness zone so you know if the plant that appeals to you most will grow in your area. 

1. Star Jasmine

If fragrance is what you're looking for, this is the plant for you. The delicate white flowers on this plant are star-shaped and bloom from early spring to fall.

It would work perfectly on a fence or covering an arbor. One downfall is that it takes a few years to get blooming in high gear. This plant grows best in full sun and will work as a perennial in zones 8-10. 

Some people opt to make this an annual and prefer to start fresh with this plant each year. If you choose to plant it as an annual, it will grow in any area. Star Jasmine also works as a groundcover if you don't want it as a climbing plant. 

Climbing jasmine flower decorated for a wall

This homeowner opted to have the Star Jasmine climb up the house and around the window, creating a dramatic and dreamy look. 

2. Morning Glory

This flower will grow almost anywhere! They'll grow in zones 2-11. As its name suggests, the Morning Glory begins to open in the early morning hours and will close in the afternoon.

Morning Glory flowers grow quickly from seed and will self-spread. They can become invasive, so you may want to pick off the dried seeds after they bloom if you don't want them to self-sow next season. 

Morning glories will easily climb railings, fences, and trellises with very little work. They come in a variety of colors and are even bi-colored. If you're looking for something easy to grow, try these. 

Sky Blue Morning Glories blooming in the fence

These bright blue Morning Glories look striking against the distressed wooden fence. 

3. Clematis

The Clematis climbing flower comes in multiple colors and varieties. Some bloom all summer, some bloom in fall, and some bloom in the spring.

Ranging from pale pink to dark purple, these can grow as tall as 10 feet. The best zones for these plants are zones 4-8. These flowers like full sun but like to have their roots in the shade. Either cover their base with mulch or plant other perennials near them so their base is nice and shaded. 

A dwarf variety is also available if you are looking for a small climber. They will only reach about 3 feet. These will easily scale a mailbox, railing, or arbor. A double Clematis variety will offer you more blooms and petals per flower if you want to make an even larger impact. 

Gorgeous climbing Clemantis flower on the iron fence

Two colors of Clematis are used to climb on this wrought-iron fence. 

4. Climbing Rose

Climbing roses will make a huge impact wherever they are planted. They bring both height and abundance to a garden. Some varieties will bloom once, but most will bloom all summer long.

Deadheading your roses regularly will encourage more blooms. Climbing roses are best suited for zones 5-10 and do best if planted in full sun. Gazebos, arbors, and pillars look especially beautiful when covered in climbing roses. 

There are many varieties of climbing roses to choose from, allowing you to find almost any color you're searching for. From the palest of yellow to a dark magenta, you won't be disappointed. 

Climbing pink and red roses decorated for an archway

Talk about stunning! These gorgeous climbing roses cover the beautiful arches in this glorious garden. 

5. Climbing Hydrangea

If you have a shady area where you want a climber, think about a climbing hydrangea to fill that space. These plants can grow as tall as 60 to 80 feet!

Make sure you have something sturdy and strong for these climbers to grow on or against. Their branches are quite heavy. These plants flourish best in zones 5-9. They can grow in full sun, but the soil must be kept very moist. 

Beautiful creamy white blooms on this climber look very similar to the traditional hydrangea shrub. Be patient! This slow-grower will take several years to establish itself. 

Gorgeous climbing Hydrangeas on the house wall

As you can see, this climbing hydrangea has almost completely covered this wall. 

6. Mandevilla

Bring some of the tropics to your home with this climbing vine. It is covered in red, pink, or white five-petal blossoms that bloom all summer. These plants thrive in hot weather and will work as perennials in zones 10-11.

However, these plants can also be grown as annuals in more temperate climates. Try this in a container or on a low trellis. Mandevilla is a low-maintenance vine and can add beauty anywhere. 

Gorgeous red Mandevilla blooming on a lattice at the garden

This gorgeous red Mandevilla adds the perfect pop of color. 

7. Honeysuckle

This gorgeous perennial has very interesting tubular-shaped flowers. You may think this looks like a tropical flower, but they perform the best in northern cooler climates.

They will grow best in zones 4-9 and like full sun. One downfall is that they only bloom in the spring. They have a very sweet fragrance that will attract hummingbirds and bees. They are very easy to take care of and come in colors such as yellow, orange, red, or white.

Beautiful Red honeysuckle growing on the garden

Here you can see Honeysuckle growing up a wall. 

8. Black-Eyed Susan Vine

These fast-growing vines are cheerful and have yellow, orange, or white blooms with a dark center. Black-eyed Susan vines will bloom all summer long.

These are considered perennials in zones 10-11 but can be grown as annuals in all other zones. They look great in hanging baskets or look dazzling climbing a trellis. These will grow quickly from seed to plant with very little work. Plant them in full sun to part-shade for the best results. 

Climbing Thunbergia Alata blooming at the day

These cheery flowers look splendid climbing up this wooden post. 

9. Bougainvillea

This woody tropical vine is covered in bright, papery-looking flowers. It grows as a perennial in zones 9-11 and may need to be replanted in more northern climates.

As beautiful as the flowers are, be careful, as the vines contain thorns. Bougainvilleas can be trained to grow around arbors or trellises but can also be grown just as a shrub. 

Arched bougainvillea house landscaping surrounding the window

This photo shows the Bougainvillea framing the window on this house. 

10. Wisteria

When you see Wisteria, you might think this flower looks like it's straight out of a fairytale. Use these on large arbors or pergolas. These marvelous draping flowers are as colorful as they are fragrant.

They bloom in the spring and grow best in zones 5-9. Wisteria grows quite quickly and will spread fast. They can grow out of control if they aren't watched and contained. Wisteria blooms come in either white, purple, or lilac and look like a cluster of grapes. 

Blooming Wisteria tunnel garden in Italy

This tunnel of Wisteria is simply magical. 

11. Trumpet Vine

Campsis grandiflora blooming gorgeously at the garden

If you want something that grows quickly and you have a large area to cover, consider the Trumpet Vine as an option. They are very aggressive growers but can become invasive.

The unique funnel-shaped flowers come in yellow, red, or orange. Pollinators like bees and hummingbirds are attracted to the Trumpet Vine. Zones 4-9 are the best zones for this climbing flower. Over time, the Trumpet Vine can get rather heavy, so make sure it is well supported. 

In Closing

Gorgeous Campsis grandiflora growing on the side of a wall

Hopefully one of these delightful climbing shrubs or vines will work for you in your outdoor space. Think about what zone you live in and choose your plant accordingly.

A perennial is the best choice, as it will grow year after year and get bigger and fuller each year. Transform your boring outdoor area from drab to fab just by planting a climbing flowering shrub or vine. You won't be sorry!

For more planting inspiration, click on the following links:

19 Flowering Shrubs For Shade

19 Gorgeous Large Flowering Trees

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