Information on Different Kinds of Climbers: Trees & Plants

Jasmine & Sweet Peas

• Most climbers are considered vines and not trees. Among the vining flowers are jasmine and sweet peas. The blossoms of both of these plants have delicious fragrances. The waxy deep green foliage of many jasmine varieties adds a nice contrast to the white blooms for long periods in summer. Sweet peas come in many colors, are planted in early spring and provide weeks of flowers. Sweet peas make good cutting flowers, too, but they'll typically die back once summer heats up.

Honeysuckle & Wysteria

• Honeysuckle comes in a few colors and though they are hugely popular in the southeast U.S., the plants have can be found in many other states. Their sweet scent and the tiny drop of "honey" that comes from the flower make them a favorite for children. Established wysteria's exotic scent and curtain-like draping provides a stunning display in spring. You can find single and double flower types, usually in lavender to darker purple.

Roses & Ivy

• Ivy is a very prolific evergreen climber. You may see different types climbing up and over brick and other types of buildings or trying to take over forests. Some smaller-leaf varieties make fine house plants, but the large-leaf types can become a problem for gardeners unless they are properly cut back and maintained. One of the finest climbers to grow is the rose. Many varieties of roses display clusters of blooms for months on end in summer. Red, pink, purple, orange and white are common colors. The Sombreuil rose has crepe paper-like blossoms that smell divine. Other old world or historic roses can have strong or more subtle fragrances.

Vegetables & Fruits

• A number of vegetables climb -- grow them on poles, along fencing and on vertical screens built in the garden. Among the climbers known to be prolific (especially in hotter climates) are tomatoes, cucumbers and many types of beans. Gourds, winter squashes and melons all vine out, but are typically grown in large patches on the ground where their vines can spread out. But some varieties can be trained to grow more vertically. Peas are another climber, usually planted in early spring, much like the flowering sweet peas. Among the fruits, kiwi vines and passion fruit are popular, especially in warmer or tropical settings. And of course, the grape is a favorite climbing fruit that grows well in many climates. Look around you as you move about the world and you'll surely begin to notice many more plants that climb.