13 Best Climbing Flowers To Grow On Trellises

Welcome to part 3 of our climbing vines on trellises!

If you haven't seen it, we wrote part 1 about vegetables and part 2 about fruits that like to climb trellises. Part 3 will conclude the series.

Climbing flowers add a touch of elegance and romance to any garden by transforming simple trellises into statement pieces!

Whether you want to create a beautiful focal point, add privacy, or enhance the overall aesthetics of your outdoor space, choosing the right climbing flowers for your trellis is crucial.

1. Types Of Trellises

Before we delve into our list of recommended climbing flowers, it's essential to understand the various types of trellises available:

There are five popular types of trellises for the garden:

1. Obelisk Trellises: These are tower-like structures traditionally set up in garden pots.
2. Cattle Trellises: These feature tall and wide arches of sturdy wire mesh, providing ample space for climbing plants.
3. A-Frames: A-Frames offer support on both sides of the A-shaped structure and can be placed on a raised bed or directly on the ground.
4. Wall Trellises: These are designed to be installed directly on garden beds, typically reclined or attached against a wall for vertical gardening.
5. Arch Trellises: Arch trellises connect from one garden bed to another or anywhere else in your garden, as long as they are attached to a garden pot or a suitable support structure.

2. 13Climbing Flowers For Trellises

1. Wisteria sinesis (Chinese Wisteria)

With its cascading clusters of fragrant, lavender-hued blooms, Wisteria is a trellis classic. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making it a suitable choice for most gardeners in temperate regions. Wisteria is renowned for its stunning clusters of fragrant flowers, giving your garden a lovely Mediterranean feel.

2. Clematis (Leather Flower)

Clematis is another trellis favorite known for its wide array of vibrant colors and delicate, star-shaped blooms. Depending on the variety, clematis can bloom in spring, summer, or fall, ensuring year-round visual interest. Proper planting and regular maintenance, including deadheading spent flowers, will keep these beauties flourishing.

3. Climbing Roses

Roses are classic and timeless flowers known to add elegance and romance to any garden. Climbing rose varieties like the New Dawn or Don Juan can turn your garden into a fragrant wonderland. Most roses thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, perfect for temperate and cold climates. Besides being stunning, they are versatile since you can use them as gifts for friends, dry them for potpourri, or make rose water!

4. Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

Honeysuckle is a trellis favorite, known not only for its charming trumpet-shaped flowers but also for its sweet fragrance. Honeysuckle varieties are available in various colors, with the classic white and yellow being the most popular. These fast-growing plants thrive in full sun or partial shade and are expert pollinators, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies with their sweet nectar.

5. Jasmine (trachelospermum jasminoides)

A favorite flower among perfumists and pollinators! This evergreen climber prefers full sun and well-drained soil, thriving in regions with mild winters and plenty of sunlight. Jasmine's beautiful, white, star-shaped blossoms bloom throughout the warm months, filling the air with their sweet scent and transforming your outdoor space into a soothing and aromatic retreat.

6. Trumpet Vine (Campsis Radicans)

Known for its fiery red or orange trumpet-shaped flowers, this climber can add a pop of color to your garden. Trumpet vines thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and are also known for their vigorous growth. Hummingbirds are particularly drawn to the trumpet vine, adding an extra layer of charm to your garden. 

7. Yellow Bells (Yellow Trumpetbush)

Also known as Tecoma Stans and Yellow Elder. These drought-tolerant climber thrives in semi-arid to arid climates and love full sun. They have bell-shaped yellow flowers that add a burst of color to your trellises and attract a lot of pollinators into your garden, which is always a win!  

8. Crossvine (Bignonia Capreolata L.)

Crossvine is a versatile climber that can flourish in arid climates is heat-tolerant, and can withstand both dry spells and occasional heavy rainfall. Its trumpet-shaped, orange-red flowers attract hummingbirds for a quick taste of their sweet nectar!

9. Passion flower (Passiflora)

These unique flowers prefer tropical climates with full sun and well-drained soil but can be somewhat sensitive to cold weather. It's advisable to provide support and protection during colder months to ensure their thriving presence. We get it; who can bloom in freezing weather!?

10. Bougainvillea ( Bougainvillea Spectabilis)

Bougainvilleas are renowned for their stunning shades of red, pink, and violet, creating a striking statement in your garden. This drought-tolerant climber thrives in hot and arid climates. Plant it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and it will flourish during the warm months. Be sure to provide adequate support for its vigorous growth to enjoy a stunning burst of color in your garden.

11. Chocolate Vine (Akebia Quinata)

This unique flowering vine smells of chocolate and vanilla! Chocolate Vines thrive in temperate climates with moderate temperatures, perfect for cold winters and mild summers.

Who wouldn't want their garden smelling like s'mores all the time!? The Chocolate Vine is definitely a unique addition to your garden!

12. Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium Sempervirens)

Also known as Yellow Jasmine, it is a stunning climbing vine celebrated for its vibrant yellow blooms and sweet fragrance. This beauty thrives in warmer climates, where winters are mild and summers are warm. It's low-maintenance, and its climbing needs are relatively undemanding, making it an obvious choice for those seeking an attractive and low-maintenance climber for their garden.

13. Morning Glory (Ipomoea Nil)

Is a charming climbing vine celebrated for its trumpet-shaped blossoms that unfurl in the early morning light. Morning Glory thrives in warmer climates with long, warm growing seasons where it can bask in full sunlight. You can expect fast vining habits, which makes them perfect for trellises, fences, or any sturdy support structure. They attract pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, so your garden is about to be extra loved and full of life. 

3. Climbing Plants With No Foliage

1. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus Quinquefolia)

2. Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus Tricuspidata)

3. English Ivy (Hedera Helix)

English Ivy is a hardy and adaptable climbing vine that can thrive in colder and milder regions. This evergreen vine uses aerial roots to cling to vertical surfaces, making it an excellent choice for covering walls, fences, and trellises. With its dense, glossy green leaves, English Ivy adds beauty to your outdoor spaces, provides natural insulation, and lends a romantic touch to any surface.

Final thoughts

Remember to consider your climate, sunlight, and time allocated for maintenance when selecting the best climbing flowers for your trellis. 

Some flowers need more attention than others, and with the right choice and proper care, your trellis can become a stunning outdoor sanctuary that looks and smells divine!