Finding the right climbing plants for shady spots can feel like a bit of a guessing game. Some vines stretch out eagerly toward the light, while others are surprisingly content in darker corners. If you’ve got a north-facing wall, a dim patio, or a fence that only sees a sliver of sun each day, you’re not out of options. In fact, there are climbers that actually prefer the gentler conditions shade provides.
This list highlights 13 climbers that thrive without full sun and 6 that absolutely insist on soaking up the rays. From classic choices that quietly impress to showier varieties that don’t mind taking center stage, these plants bring height, structure, and a bit of softness to walls, trellises, and fences, no matter how much light they get.
English Ivy
With its iconic, lush foliage, English Ivy is a classic choice for shaded areas. This resilient plant thrives in low light, creating a verdant tapestry on walls and fences.
Known for its ability to purify air and reduce noise pollution, English Ivy also serves as a natural coolant for buildings. Its evergreen nature ensures year-round beauty, providing a soothing green backdrop.
Not only is it visually appealing, but it’s also a favorite for wildlife, offering shelter and food for various creatures. English Ivy’s low-maintenance nature makes it ideal for busy gardeners.
Climbing Hydrangea
Climbing Hydrangea is admired for its stunning white lacecap flowers and heart-shaped leaves. It’s perfect for adding a touch of elegance to shaded areas.
This plant slowly establishes itself, rewarding patience with a breathtaking floral display. Its fragrant blooms attract pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity.
Adaptable and robust, Climbing Hydrangea can cover large areas, making it great for walls and pergolas. Though it loves shade, it appreciates some morning sun. Its peeling bark adds winter interest, ensuring year-round beauty.
Virginia Creeper
Virginia Creeper is a dynamic climbing plant renowned for its vibrant fall colors. In shaded areas, its green leaves turn a bold red, creating a striking display.
Fast-growing and adaptable, it can quickly cover walls, fences, and arbors. Its tendrils feature adhesive tips, allowing it to cling to surfaces without much support.
This plant is not only beautiful but also beneficial for local wildlife, providing habitat and food. Virginia Creeper’s seasonal transformation makes it a favorite for garden enthusiasts.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is celebrated for its sweetly scented flowers and ability to thrive in partial shade. Its tubular blooms come in vibrant hues of orange and yellow.
This climber is known for attracting hummingbirds and bees, making it a lively addition to any garden. Its fragrance is most potent during the evening, adding a sensory delight.
Honeysuckle’s vigorous growth can rapidly cover unsightly structures, offering both beauty and privacy. Its resilience and charm make it a garden staple.
Clematis Montana
Clematis Montana is a favorite for shaded areas, offering a profusion of pink or white blossoms in spring. Its delicate flowers create a breathtaking spectacle.
This hardy climber is perfect for covering structures, with its fast growth and robust nature. It can adapt to various soil types, though it prefers a cool root run.
Clematis Montana’s seasonal beauty and sweet scent make it a beloved choice for gardeners seeking charm and elegance in shaded spaces.
Boston Ivy
Boston Ivy is well-suited for shaded environments, known for its glossy leaves that turn fiery red in the fall. This deciduous vine offers a stunning seasonal transformation.
With adhesive pads on its tendrils, it easily climbs walls and other structures. Boston Ivy is often used to soften the harsh lines of urban buildings.
Its ability to thrive in less-than-ideal conditions, combined with its aesthetic appeal, makes Boston Ivy a popular choice for city gardens and rural retreats alike.
Kadsura japonica
Kadsura japonica, an exotic climber, thrives in shaded gardens. Its evergreen leaves provide a glossy backdrop all year round.
In spring, it produces small, fragrant yellow flowers, adding a subtle touch of color. This plant prefers a moist, well-drained environment.
Kadsura’s unique appearance and hardiness make it an intriguing choice for gardeners looking to add a tropical flair to their space. It’s perfect for trellises and pergolas.
Chocolate Vine
Chocolate Vine, or Akebia quinata, is a charming addition to shaded areas. Its unique purple flowers emit a delightful chocolate scent.
This vine is admired for its lush foliage and rapid growth, capable of covering large spaces quickly. The fruits it bears in late summer are edible and intriguing.
Chocolate Vine’s enchanting aroma and exotic appearance make it a standout choice for those seeking something different in their garden. It thrives in partial shade, adding both beauty and fragrance.
Dutchman’s Pipe
Dutchman’s Pipe is noted for its distinctive pipe-shaped flowers and lush heart-shaped leaves, perfect for shaded gardens.
This climber is often chosen for its intriguing blooms, which have an unusual appearance. It provides excellent coverage for trellises and fences.
Dutchman’s Pipe attracts butterflies, adding ecological value to its aesthetic appeal. It prefers rich, moist soil and is a great choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of whimsy.
Evergreen Clematis
Evergreen Clematis is cherished for its year-round foliage and fragrant white flowers. It’s ideal for adding elegance to shaded spaces.
This climber is versatile, suitable for covering walls, fences, and arbors. Its star-shaped blooms appear in spring, offering a delightful fragrance.
Known for its vibrant presence and ease of care, Evergreen Clematis is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a perennial with both beauty and resilience. It thrives in various conditions.
Sweet Autumn Clematis
Sweet Autumn Clematis is celebrated for its profusion of small, fragrant white flowers that appear in late summer and fall.
This vigorous climber is perfect for shaded areas, where it can quickly cover fences and trellises. Its lush foliage provides additional interest.
The sweet scent of its blooms attracts pollinators, enhancing the garden’s ecosystem. Sweet Autumn Clematis is a delightful choice for those who appreciate both fragrance and floral beauty.
Wisteria
Wisteria’s cascading blooms are a breathtaking sight, flourishing in full sun. Its purple flowers hang like chandeliers, creating a dreamy ambiance.
Known for its vigorous growth, Wisteria requires a sturdy support structure and regular pruning to control its size. It’s perfect for pergolas and trellises.
Despite its need for full exposure, Wisteria rewards with its spectacular floral display. It adds a touch of romance to any sunny garden, making it a popular choice for landscape transformation.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a sun-loving climber, renowned for its vivid magenta or purple bracts that brighten up any space.
Thriving in warm climates, this plant prefers full sun to produce its best display. Bougainvillea is drought-tolerant, making it ideal for xeriscaping.
With its bold colors and resilient nature, Bougainvillea adds a Mediterranean flair to gardens. It’s perfect for creating a vibrant focal point.
Trumpet Vine
Trumpet Vine is known for its striking orange, trumpet-shaped flowers that thrive in full sun. It’s a favorite among hummingbirds.
This vigorous climber can quickly cover large areas, making it ideal for fences and arbors. Its bold blooms create a lively display in sunny gardens.
Trumpet Vine’s resilience to various conditions and its vibrant floral show make it a dynamic addition to any landscape. It requires regular pruning to keep in check.
Morning Glory
Morning Glory is loved for its bright blue and purple flowers that open in the morning sun. This climber is perfect for adding color to sunny areas.
Its fast-growing nature allows it to quickly cover trellises and arbors, creating a vibrant display. The blooms close in the afternoon, adding a dynamic element.
Morning Glory’s cheerful presence and ease of growth make it popular among gardeners. It brings a touch of nostalgia with its old-fashioned charm.
Passionflower
Passionflower captivates with its exotic, intricate blooms, thriving in full sun. Its flowers are a work of art, attracting pollinators and admiration alike.
This climber is noted for its unique appearance and fast growth. It’s often used to cover fences and trellises, adding a tropical feel.
The fruit produced by Passionflower is edible, adding another layer of interest. It’s a compelling choice for those seeking something extraordinary in their garden.
Star Jasmine
Star Jasmine enchants with its fragrant white flowers and glossy green leaves, thriving best in full sun.
This versatile climber is perfect for covering walls and fences, offering both beauty and fragrance. The star-shaped blooms appear in profusion.
Star Jasmine’s intoxicating scent is a favorite in sunny gardens, adding elegance and charm. It’s a popular choice for those who appreciate aromatic plants.
Flame Vine
Flame Vine lives up to its name with vibrant orange flowers that flourish in full sun. This climber creates a dramatic effect in any landscape.
Its fiery blooms attract pollinators and add warmth to garden designs. Flame Vine is ideal for covering walls and trellises, requiring little maintenance.
The dazzling color and robust growth of Flame Vine make it a standout choice for sunny areas. It’s perfect for those who love bold, eye-catching plants.