If you’re looking to add some unique charm to your garden, these 14 unusual climbing plants are sure to do the trick. With their vibrant blooms, striking shapes, and ability to scale walls, fences, and trellises, these climbing plants stand out from the usual suspects.
From the captivating, bell-shaped flowers of the Dutchman’s Pipe to the delicate, trailing vines of the Chocolate Vine, these plants bring a touch of the unexpected to your outdoor space. Not only do they add vertical interest, but many of these climbing plants also attract pollinators and offer a delightful fragrance to your garden.
Whether you’re looking to add a splash of color, create a green privacy screen, or simply add something new and exciting to your landscape, these climbing plants are the perfect way to elevate your garden.
Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata)
Not your everyday garden feature, the Chocolate Vine is a delightful surprise. With its purple flowers that release a subtle chocolate aroma, it’s a sensory delight. The vine’s rapid growth ensures quick coverage, making it an excellent choice for fences or pergolas. Its unique five-leaflet formation adds an ornamental touch, while the edible fruit offers an exotic snack. Perfect for gardeners seeking an unusual yet functional plant, this vine thrives in full sun to partial shade. Its resilience and adaptability to different soil types make it a versatile addition to varied landscapes.
Snail Vine (Vigna caracalla)
A visually intriguing plant, the Snail Vine boasts spiral-shaped flowers resembling snail shells. This tropical beauty exudes a sweet fragrance, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its vigorous climbing habit requires sturdy support, ideal for embellishing garden structures. Although frost-sensitive, it thrives in warm climates, where it can be a perennial favorite. In cooler areas, treat it as an annual or bring it indoors during colder months. Cultivate in well-drained soil and provide ample sunlight for a show-stopping garden centerpiece that never fails to impress.
Cup and Saucer Vine (Cobaea scandens)
Known for its dramatic blooms, the Cup and Saucer Vine features large, cup-shaped flowers that sit atop saucer-like sepals. This fast-growing vine creates a stunning vertical display, perfect for covering walls or trellises. While it prefers sunny locations, it tolerates partial shade, widening its applicability in various garden settings. The vine’s bell-shaped flowers transition from green to purple, providing changing visuals throughout its blooming period. Ensure it has plenty of space to climb and thrive, and enjoy the dynamic beauty it brings to your outdoor spaces.
Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)
Elegant and refined, the Climbing Hydrangea captivates with its lace-cap flowers and exfoliating bark. Unlike typical hydrangeas, this variety climbs walls with aerial roots, transforming vertical spaces into floral tapestries. The plant flourishes in shade, making it ideal for north-facing walls or woodland gardens. Over time, its bark peels to reveal a cinnamon hue, adding winter interest. Patience is required, as it establishes slowly, but the payoff is a lush, flowering vine that enhances garden architecture. Regular moisture and rich soil will ensure its successful growth.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Passionflower introduces a touch of the exotic with its intricate blooms that captivate attention. The vine’s tendrils allow it to climb efficiently, making it suitable for trellises or fences. Known for its medicinal properties, this plant adds functional beauty to the garden. It’s hardy in warmer zones, where it can become perennial, while in cooler climates, it may need winter protection. Ensure it receives full sun and well-drained soil for optimal flowering. Its unique structure and vibrant colors make Passionflower an unforgettable garden spectacle.
Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
Cheerful and vibrant, the Black-Eyed Susan Vine enlivens gardens with its bright orange blooms. Each flower features a distinctive dark center, adding contrast and visual interest. It’s a quick-growing annual in cooler climates but can be perennial in warm regions. This versatile vine is excellent for hanging baskets, trellises, or garden arches, where its cascading growth habit shines. Providing ample sunlight and regular watering encourages prolific blooming. Its low-maintenance nature and colorful display make it a favorite for gardeners seeking beauty with minimal effort.
Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys)
A tropical marvel, the Jade Vine captivates with its striking turquoise flowers. These unique blooms hang in clusters, creating an exotic waterfall effect. While it demands a warm, humid environment, its spectacular display is worth the effort. Perfect for greenhouses or conservatories in cooler climates, it thrives in rich, well-drained soil. The plant’s robust climbing ability requires sturdy support. Ideal for experienced gardeners, the Jade Vine offers a rewarding challenge with its breathtaking beauty. Ensure consistent warmth and humidity to mimic its native habitat for best results.
Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)
Delicate and charming, the Bleeding Heart Vine enchants with its heart-shaped flowers. The vivid red petals contrast against white calyxes, creating a striking visual impact. This climber thrives in warm environments, flourishing as a perennial in tropical regions. It requires a sheltered spot with filtered sunlight to protect its delicate blooms. Suitable for trellises or as a potted plant, it offers flexibility in garden design. Adequate watering and fertilization promote healthy growth, ensuring the vine remains a prominent garden feature with its captivating floral display.
Canary Creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum)
Bright and whimsical, the Canary Creeper delights with its fringed yellow flowers resembling canary birds. This annual vine is perfect for adding quick color to gardens, thriving in sunlit spaces. Its fast growth makes it ideal for covering fences or railings. The light green foliage complements the vibrant blooms, creating a refreshing garden palette. Easy to grow from seed, it presents novice gardeners with an opportunity to experiment with climbers. Regular watering and sunny conditions ensure prolific flowering. Enjoy its cheerful presence as it dances through the garden spaces.
Porcelain Berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata)
A visual feast, the Porcelain Berry Vine dazzles with its multicolored berries. These unique fruits transition from turquoise to purple, adding autumnal interest. The variegated leaves enhance its ornamental appeal, offering a mosaic of colors in the garden. This vigorous climber requires support, thriving in full sun to partial shade. While it’s a hardy grower, it can become invasive if unchecked. Pruning and management keep it contained and aesthetically pleasing. Its autumn display is unmatched, providing seasonal interest as the garden transitions between the seasons.
Rosary Vine (Ceropegia woodii)
Succulent stems and heart-shaped leaves define the enchanting Rosary Vine. This trailing plant is perfect for hanging baskets, where its stems can cascade gracefully. While it’s primarily grown indoors, it can summer outside in sheltered spots. The plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. Tiny pink flowers add occasional interest, but the foliage remains its main attraction. Water sparingly, letting the soil dry out between waterings to prevent rot. Ideal for those with limited space, the Rosary Vine offers a compact yet captivating plant option.
Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla)
Named for its unique flower shape, Dutchman’s Pipe adds an architectural element to gardens. The large leaves provide ample coverage, making it ideal for privacy screens. This hardy vine thrives in a range of conditions, from full sun to partial shade. The unusual pipe-shaped flowers attract attention, while the dense foliage offers a cooling effect in summer. It’s perfect for covering pergolas or creating shaded retreats. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages vigorous growth. Enjoy its unique structure as it transforms garden spaces into verdant sanctuaries.
Silver Lace Vine (Polygonum aubertii)
An elegant choice for quick coverage, the Silver Lace Vine produces masses of small white flowers. These blooms create a delicate lace-like effect against the dark green foliage. Its fast-growing nature makes it suitable for arbors or fences, where it can quickly establish a verdant backdrop. Though vigorous, it’s easily managed with regular trimming. It’s tolerant of various soil types and environmental conditions, making it a resilient addition to the garden. The Silver Lace Vine provides a soft, romantic touch, enhancing the garden’s overall aesthetic.
Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius)
Perennial and hardy, the Everlasting Pea offers vibrant blooms throughout the summer. Clusters of pink and white flowers provide a classic, cottage-garden appeal. Though not fragrant, its extended flowering period and robust nature make it a garden favorite. Perfect for fences or trellises, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Minimal care is required once established, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardens. The vine’s vigor and adaptability ensure it remains a reliable and attractive addition, offering continuous color with little effort.