Best Plants for Outdoor Trellis: Top Climbing & Trailing Species

Transform your outdoor space into a lush, vertical garden with the help of a sturdy trellis and the right climbing plants. A well-designed trellis not only adds visual appeal but also maximizes your garden's potential by growing plants upwards, saving valuable ground space. Let's explore some stunning plants that thrive on outdoor trellises and create a breathtaking vertical display.

Before we dive into the plant selection, it's crucial to consider the type of trellis you'll use. Trellises can be made from various materials like wood, metal, or plastic, and they come in different shapes and sizes. Choose a trellis that complements your garden's style and can support the weight of the plants you intend to grow.

Annual Climbing Plants for Quick Vertical Cover

Annual climbing plants are perfect for adding instant color and coverage to your trellis. They grow rapidly and can quickly transform a bare trellis into a vibrant, living wall. Here are two popular annual climbers to consider:

Morning Glories (Ipomoea purpurea)

Morning glories are fast-growing vines that produce beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers in various shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Their heart-shaped leaves add texture to your trellis, and they bloom throughout the growing season. Morning glories are easy to grow from seeds and can be started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost.

To encourage climbing, plant morning glories at the base of your trellis and provide support as they grow. They will naturally twine around the trellis and produce stunning flowers by mid-summer. Keep in mind that morning glories are annuals, so you'll need to replant them each year.

Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)

Black-eyed Susan vine is another fast-growing annual that produces vibrant, yellow-orange flowers with dark centers. This vine is heat and drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for warmer climates or gardens with limited water resources. Black-eyed Susan vine can be started from seeds indoors or sown directly into the ground after the last spring frost.

Plant black-eyed Susan vine at the base of your trellis, and it will quickly grow and cover it with its attractive foliage and flowers. This vine is a heavy bloomer and will produce flowers from summer until the first fall frost. Like morning glories, black-eyed Susan vine is an annual, so you'll need to replant it each year.

Perennial Climbing Plants for Long-Lasting Beauty

Perennial climbing plants are an excellent investment for your garden as they return year after year, providing long-lasting beauty and structure to your trellis. Here are two stunning perennial climbers to consider:

Clematis (Clematis spp.)

Clematis is a large genus of woody vines that includes many species and cultivars with various flower colors, shapes, and sizes. Some clematis varieties bloom in early spring, while others flower in summer or fall, providing continuous color throughout the growing season. Clematis vines can be trained to grow on trellises, arbors, or even along fences and walls.

When selecting clematis for your trellis, consider the plant's size, bloom time, and flower color. Some popular clematis varieties include 'Jackmanii' (deep purple flowers), 'Nelly Moser' (large, pink and white flowers), and 'Henryi' (small, white flowers with yellow anthers). Plant clematis in well-draining soil and provide support as they grow. Prune clematis vines according to their specific pruning requirements to encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms.

Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)

Boston ivy is a deciduous, woody vine that provides stunning fall color and attractive green foliage throughout the growing season. This vine is an excellent choice for trellises, arbors, or walls, as it clings to surfaces using small, adhesive disks on its tendrils. Boston ivy is a vigorous grower and can quickly cover a trellis, providing both shade and visual appeal.

Plant Boston ivy at the base of your trellis, and it will naturally climb and attach itself to the surface. This vine is relatively low-maintenance and requires minimal pruning. In the fall, Boston ivy leaves turn a beautiful shade of red, adding a pop of color to your garden. Keep in mind that Boston ivy is a deciduous vine, so it will lose its leaves in the winter months.

Incorporating climbing plants into your outdoor space can create a stunning vertical display that adds both beauty and functionality to your garden. By selecting the right plants for your trellis, you can enjoy a lush, living wall that will be the envy of your neighborhood. So, grab your gardening gloves and get started on your vertical garden today!