15 Vine Plants to Add Colour to Your Garden

If you’re looking to introduce a burst of colour, a touch of drama, or an element of privacy to your outdoor space, vine plants can be a good option. They offer a beautiful way to alter your garden’s aesthetics while offering practical benefits such as creating shade, delineating boundaries, and even reducing noise. In this article we look at 15 of our favourite vine plants and share advice on placement, maintenance, and the aesthetic charms they can add to your garden.

1. Clematis ‘Jackmanii’

Clematis ‘Jackmanii’, the grand dame of the climbing world, is a perennial that boasts showy purple blooms in the summer. It thrives in well-drained, fertile soils and needs six hours of sunlight each day. With a hardiness of zones 4-8, it can withstand frosty winters. Watering should be regular but moderate, avoiding waterlogging. Reaching up to 4m in height, it requires annual pruning to control its size and stimulate flowering.

2. Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea)

This exotic, evergreen climber is admired for its unique, vibrant blue and white blooms. It enjoys well-drained soil and full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Hardy to zone 6, it can withstand temperatures down to -10°C. Regular watering and feeding in the summer is crucial. With a mature height of 6-8m, it needs a robust support structure.

3. Climbing Rose (Rosa)

Climbing roses are a classic choice for adding a romantic element to your garden. They enjoy well-drained, loamy soil and full sun exposure, although they can tolerate partial shade. These roses are hardy (zone 5) and can handle chilly winters. Water generously in summer but ensure soil doesn’t become waterlogged in winter. Depending on the variety, they can reach up to 5m in height.

4. Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)

Honeysuckle provides a fragrant, wildlife-friendly option for your garden. Preferring well-drained soil, it flourishes in full sun or partial shade. Hardy to zone 5, it’s resilient in cold winters. Moderate watering suits this climber best, and it can grow up to 7m in height, flowering from summer to autumn.

5. Wisteria

Wisteria is an elegant, long-living climber that provides a cascading display of lavender-blue blooms in late spring. It prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil, and a sunny, sheltered spot. Hardy to zone 5, Wisteria requires consistent watering during growing and flowering periods. Mature plants can reach heights of 20m.

6. Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris

This self-clinging climber, known for its lacy white flower heads, prefers well-drained, moist soil, and thrives in full sun to partial shade. Hardy to zone 4, it’s a robust plant. Regular watering is needed during dry periods. It can grow up to 15m tall and offers a magnificent spectacle when in full bloom.

7. Ivy (Hedera helix)

As a shade-loving climber, ivy is perfect for the darker corners of your garden. It’s not fussy about soil type and can tolerate deep shade. Hardy to zone 5, it needs little watering once established. Mature ivy can reach 20m in height, offering year-round greenery.

8. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Famed for its stunning autumn colours, Virginia Creeper thrives in well-drained soil and both sunny and partially shaded positions. It’s hardy up to zone 3, requiring moderate watering and can reach an impressive 30m at maturity.

9. Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata)

This fast-growing climber adds an exotic touch with its burgundy blooms and chocolate scent. It prefers well-drained soil and can cope in both sun and partial shade. Hardy in zones 5-9, it requires regular watering and can reach up to 12m in height.

10. Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)

This self-clinging vine is perfect for shaded areas and can adapt to most soil types. Hardy to zone 4, it requires minimal watering once established. It can grow up to 15m tall and produce lovely lace-cap blooms in the summer.

11. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Trumpet Vine offers stunning trumpet-shaped blooms and thrives in fertile, well-drained soil. It loves sun but can tolerate partial shade. Hardy in zones 4-9, this climber requires regular watering in growing season and can grow up to 12m tall.

12. Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)

Sweet Pea is renowned for its delicate blooms and lovely fragrance. It enjoys fertile, well-drained soil and full sun. Hardy to zone 2, it requires regular watering. It’s an annual climber, reaching up to 2m tall and is perfect for trellises and archways.

13. Kiwi Vine (Actinidia deliciosa)

Not just for its fruit, Kiwi Vine offers verdant foliage and fragrant blooms. It likes well-drained soil and full sun or partial shade. Hardy in zones 7-9, it requires regular watering and can reach up to 9m in height.

14. Golden Hops (Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’)

Golden Hops offer vibrant, golden-yellow leaves and thrive in well-drained soil. It loves full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Hardy in zones 4-8, it requires regular watering and can reach up to 8m in height.

15. Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla)

This robust climber is known for its large, heart-shaped leaves and distinctive blooms. It thrives in well-drained soil and partial shade. Hardy in zones 4-8, it requires moderate watering and can grow up to 9m tall.

Understanding Plant Hardiness Zones

When we talk about plant hardiness zones, we’re referring to the geographic areas where a plant can grow healthily based on the average annual minimum winter temperature. The zones are divided into increments of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or roughly 5.5 degrees Celsius. So when we say a plant is hardy to zone 5, for instance, it means that the plant can withstand minimum winter temperatures of -20 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 to -23 Celsius).

In the UK, we generally range from zone 6 to zone 9. Zone 6 includes parts of Scotland and Northern England with minimum temperatures between -23 to -18 Celsius. Most of England, Wales, and Ireland are in zones 8 (minimum temperatures between -12 to -7 Celsius) and 9 (minimum temperatures between -7 to -1 Celsius).

However, these are guidelines rather than firm rules. Other factors such as soil type, humidity, sunlight, and wind can also affect a plant’s ability to thrive. Always consider your specific garden conditions when choosing plants.

Remember, each of these climbers has its own unique requirements for care and placement. It’s always best to consider these factors before introducing a new plant to your garden to ensure it thrives and enhances the beauty of your space. Whether you’re selling, letting, or simply enjoying your property, a well-kept, vibrant garden can significantly enhance its appeal. Happy planting!