The Best Climbing Plants for Sun and Shade

Many of the ivies are also suitable for scrambling over arches and arbors in shady positions. The white- and yellow-variegated forms are particularly useful to brighten up dark corners.

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Honeysuckles are twining plants that originate in woodland conditions and so make ideal climbers for shaded pergolas and arbors. Many are evergreen, providing all-year cover, with most being fast-growing and fragrant as well. Not all clematis need to be grown in full sun, either. C. montana is a vigorous, late-spring-flowering climber tolerant of shade; it has pink- and white-flowered forms.

What Are the Best Climbers for Your Garden Site?

Plants for Full Sun
Campsis radicans Red or yellow trumpet flowers from late summer to early autumn.
Rosa ('Madame Grégoire Staechelin') Pink, slightly fragrant flower clusters in summer.
Vitis vinifera ('Purpurea') Strong growing grape with deep red leaves, richer in autumn.
Wisteria sinensis Lilac flowers; needs plenty of space. White-flowered W. floribunda 'Alba' is slightly less vigorous.

Plants for Shade
Clematis armandii Fragrant white flowers in early spring; evergreen in a sheltered position.
Hedera colchica ('Dentata Variegata') and H. helix ('Goldheart') Variegated ivies. Evergreen.
Lonicera japonica ('Halliana') Fast-growing, fragrant, vigorous honeysuckle.
Schizophragma hydrangeoides White summer flowers, heart-shaped leaves. Climbs by aerial roots, so it is best on brick or stone.