Best Climbing Plants for UK - Walls & Fences
By Parvez Akhtar Pasha | Mar 12, 2025
Walls and Fences are great, but wouldn't they look even better if they were covered in green just like the mini rainforest? It's time to grow some climbing plants on it and let nature decorate it.
Climbing plants are a fantastic way to add beauty, privacy, and even wildlife habitats to your walls and fences. The weather in the UK isn’t the same everywhere (varies by region), so you need to pick the best climbing plants that can grow well in your specific area.
Below is a simple, region-wise guide to help you choose the best climbing plants for your area.
Southern England - Climbing Plants (Flowering, fruits)
Southern England is warmer than other parts of the UK. This means the temperature is suitable for a wide range of plants, including climbing plants.
| Plant Name | Type | Foliage | Flowering Season | Growth Speed | Sunlight Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clematis armandii | Flowering | Evergreen | Early Spring | Fast | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Trachelospermum jasminoides | Flowering | Evergreen | Summer | Slow-Medium | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Hedera helix (Common Ivy) | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Fast | Shade/Partial sun |
| Lonicera japonica (Honeysuckle) | Flowering | Semi-Evergreen | Summer-Autumn | Medium | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Passiflora caerulea (Passion Flower) | Flowering | Semi-Evergreen | Summer | Fast | Full sun |
| Clematis montana | Flowering | Deciduous | Spring | Fast | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Wisteria sinensis | Flowering | Deciduous | Late Spring | Fast | Full sun |
| Rosa ‘New Dawn’ | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer-Autumn | Medium | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Jasminum officinale (Common Jasmine) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Fast | Full sun |
| Hydrangea petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Slow | Shade/Partial shade |
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper) | Foliage | Deciduous | N/A | Fast | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Vitis vinifera (Grape Vine) | Fruit | Deciduous | Summer | Fast | Full sun |
| Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry) | Fruit | Deciduous | Summer | Fast | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Actinidia deliciosa (Kiwi Vine) | Fruit | Deciduous | Summer | Medium | Full sun |
| Schisandra chinensis (Magnolia Vine) | Flowering | Deciduous | Spring-Summer | Medium | Shade/Partial shade |
| Humulus lupulus (Common Hop) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Fast | Shade/Partial shade |
| Polygonum aubertii (Russian Vine) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer-Autumn | Very Fast | Shade/Partial shade |
These are some plants that you can grow in Southern England.
Climbing plants Midlands & East England
The weather in the Midlands and East England keeps changing, with warm summers, cold winters, and some occasional rainfall. So, plants in this area need to be tough and able to grow in different conditions.
| Plant Name | Type | Foliage | Flowering Season | Growth Speed | Sunlight Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clematis armandii | Flowering | Evergreen | Early Spring | Medium | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) | Flowering | Evergreen | Summer | Medium | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Hedera helix (Common Ivy) | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Fast | Shade/Partial shade |
| Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ (Japanese Honeysuckle) | Flowering | Evergreen | Summer-Autumn | Fast | Partial shade |
| Clematis ‘The President’ | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer-Autumn | Medium | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Rosa ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Medium | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Wisteria sinensis | Flowering | Deciduous | Late Spring | Fast | Full sun |
| Passiflora caerulea (Passion Flower) | Flowering | Semi-Evergreen | Summer-Autumn | Medium | Full sun |
| Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Slow | Shade/Partial shade |
| Pyracantha (Firethorn) | Berry | Evergreen | Spring | Medium | Shade/Partial shade |
| Vitis vinifera (Grapevine) | Fruit | Deciduous | Summer | Fast | Full sun |
| Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry) | Fruit | Deciduous | Spring-Summer | Fast | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Malus ‘Redlove’ (Climbing Apple Tree) | Fruit | Deciduous | Spring | Medium | Full sun |
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper) | Foliage | Deciduous | N/A | Fast | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Boston Ivy) | Foliage | Deciduous | N/A | Fast | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper) | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Medium | Shade/Partial shade |
| Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine) | Flowering/Foliage | Deciduous | Winter | Medium | Full sun/Partial shade |
The above table shows the different types of climbing plants that grow well in the Midlands & East England.
Northern England - Vines
Northern England has a cooler temperature, this kind of temperature makes it harder for some plants to grow, so hardy plants are the best choice. These plants can survive in cold weather and keep growing even when it's chilly.
| Plant Name | Type | Foliage | Flowering Season | Growth Speed | Sunlight Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’ | Flowering | Deciduous | Spring-Summer | Medium | Partial shade |
| Hydrangea petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Slow | Shade/Partial shade |
| Hedera helix (Common Ivy) | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Fast | Shade/Partial sun |
| Lonicera periclymenum (Native Honeysuckle) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Medium | Partial shade |
| Rosa ‘New Dawn’ | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer-Autumn | Medium | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Boston Ivy) | Foliage | Deciduous | N/A | Fast | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Schisandra chinensis (Magnolia Vine) | Flowering | Deciduous | Spring-Summer | Medium | Shade/Partial shade |
| Polygonum aubertii (Russian Vine) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer-Autumn | Very Fast | Shade/Partial shade |
| Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine) | Flowering | Deciduous | Winter-Spring | Medium | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Wisteria sinensis | Flowering | Deciduous | Late Spring | Fast | Full sun |
| Vitis vinifera (Hardy Grape Vine) | Fruit | Deciduous | Summer | Fast | Full sun |
| Humulus lupulus (Common Hop) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Fast | Shade/Partial shade |
| Clematis montana | Flowering | Deciduous | Spring | Fast | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet Pea) | Flowering | Annual | Summer | Fast | Full sun |
| Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry) | Fruit | Deciduous | Summer | Fast | Full sun/Partial shade |
| Actinidia kolomikta (Variegated Kiwi) | Foliage | Deciduous | Spring-Summer | Medium | Partial shade |
| Celastrus orbiculatus (Bittersweet) | Foliage | Deciduous | Summer | Medium | Full sun/Partial shade |
These are some climbing plants that you can grow in the cooler temperatures of Northern England.
Climbing plants for Scotland
Scotland's weather can be rough—cold winters, strong winds, lots of rain, and short summers. So, it is challenging for weak plants to survive.
So it's best to choose strong, hardy climbing plants.
| Plant Name | Type | Foliage | Flowering Season | Growth Speed | Sunlight Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hedera helix (Common Ivy) | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Fast | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Pyracantha (Firethorn) | Berry | Evergreen | Spring | Medium | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Slow | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Clematis montana | Flowering | Deciduous | Late Spring | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Lonicera periclymenum (Common Honeysuckle) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine) | Flowering/Foliage | Deciduous | Winter | Medium | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper) | Foliage | Deciduous | N/A | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Boston Ivy) | Foliage | Deciduous | N/A | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) | Flowering | Evergreen | Summer | Medium | Sheltered Full Sun |
| Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’ | Flowering | Deciduous | Spring-Summer | Medium | Partial Shade |
| Rosa ‘Albertine’ (Climbing Rose) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Medium | Full Sun |
| Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry) | Fruit | Deciduous | Spring-Summer | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Vitis vinifera (Hardy Grapevine) | Fruit | Deciduous | Summer | Medium | Sheltered Full Sun |
| Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper) | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Medium | Shade/Partial Shade |
These are some best climbing plants you can grow in Scotland's tough weather.
Climbing plants (vines) for Wales
Wales gets a lot of rain and stays quite damp most of the time. Because of this, plants that love moisture, like ivy or honeysuckle, grow really well here.
| Plant Name | Type | Foliage | Flowering Season | Growth Speed | Sunlight Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hedera helix (Common Ivy) | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Fast | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Hedera helix ‘Glacier’ (Variegated Ivy) | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Fast | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Hedera colchica ‘Sulphur Heart’ (Persian Ivy) | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Fast | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Lonicera periclymenum (Common Honeysuckle) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’ (Late Dutch Honeysuckle) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer-Autumn | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ (Japanese Honeysuckle) | Flowering | Semi-Evergreen | Summer | Fast | Partial Shade/Full Sun |
| Wisteria sinensis | Flowering | Deciduous | Late Spring | Fast | Full sun |
| Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Slow | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Clematis alpina | Flowering | Deciduous | Spring | Medium | Partial Shade |
| Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine) | Flowering/Foliage | Deciduous | Winter | Medium | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Rosa ‘Madame Alfred Carrière’ (Climbing Rose) | Flowering | Semi-Evergreen | Summer | Medium | Full Sun |
| Parthenocissus henryana (Chinese Virginia Creeper) | Foliage | Deciduous | N/A | Medium | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine) | Flowering | Semi-Evergreen | Spring | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Clematis ‘Frances Rivis’ | Flowering | Deciduous | Spring | Medium | Partial Shade |
| Rubus tricolor (Ornamental Raspberry) | Fruit/Foliage | Evergreen | Spring-Summer | Medium | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Vitis coignetiae (Crimson Glory Vine) | Foliage | Deciduous | N/A | Medium | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Euonymus fortunei ‘Silver Queen’ | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Medium | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Passiflora caerulea (Passion Flower) | Flowering | Semi-Evergreen | Summer | Medium | Full Sun |
| Schisandra rubriflora (Chinese Magnolia Vine) | Flowering/Berry | Deciduous | Spring | Medium | Partial Shade |
So, these are the best climbing plants for Wales. They grow well in Wales' mild and rainy weather.
Ireland
Ireland has a cool and damp climate which is quite similar to Wales, and Scotland. So the plants that grow well in Wales, and Scotland will also grow in Ireland.
Here’s a table of the best climbing plants that grow well in Ireland’s mild, cool, and rainy weather.
| Plant Name | Type | Foliage | Flowering Season | Growth Speed | Sunlight Needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clematis (Various Varieties) | Flowering | Deciduous | Spring-Summer | Medium | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Hedera helix (English Ivy) | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Fast | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Lonicera periclymenum (Honeysuckle) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Rosa (Climbing Roses) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Medium | Full Sun |
| Wisteria sinensis (Wisteria) | Flowering | Deciduous | Late Spring-Early Summer | Medium | Full Sun |
| Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine) | Flowering/Foliage | Deciduous | Winter | Medium | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper) | Foliage | Deciduous | N/A | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) | Flowering | Evergreen | Summer | Medium | Sheltered Full Sun |
| Passiflora caerulea (Passion Flower) | Flowering | Semi-Evergreen | Summer-Autumn | Medium | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine) | Flowering | Semi-Evergreen | Spring | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Pyracantha (Firethorn) | Berry | Evergreen | Spring | Medium | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea) | Flowering | Deciduous | Summer | Slow | Shade/Partial Shade |
| Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Boston Ivy) | Foliage | Deciduous | N/A | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Rubus fruticosus (Blackberry) | Fruit | Deciduous | Spring-Summer | Fast | Full Sun/Partial Shade |
| Vitis vinifera (Hardy Grapevine) | Fruit | Deciduous | Summer | Medium | Sheltered Full Sun |
| Euonymus fortunei (Wintercreeper) | Foliage | Evergreen | N/A | Medium | Shade/Partial Shade |
These climbing plants grow well in Ireland’s weather and are perfect for covering fences, walls, trellises, and pergolas.
I could add pictures of all the mentioned plants. But the list is really long.
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