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As a professional gardener, I have often been asked what climbing plants I recommend for covering fences. However, there are many options when you consider deciduous varieties, and I’ve talked about some of them in my Climbers for Fences guide. I’ve also talked about evergreen climbers in general here, so in this guide, I want to focus on the best evergreen climbers for fences.
What makes these climbing plants different is that they are perfect for growing along fences in that they won’t take over and can easily be controlled and maintained. They are more compact, the eventual sizes are manageable, and they are not too vigorous, meaning they are perfect for growing along fences. The last thing you need is a climber that fills the fence with a season but then becomes invasive or starts to damage your fence.
I’ve included some of your more traditional climbers such as Lonicera Henryi ‘Copper Beauty’, a more compact Honeysuckle and Trachelospermum jasminoides with its stunning star-shaped cream flowers.
However, I also included some evergreen shrubs that can be trained against a wall like you would a climber. These can often be attached to the wall with a row of horizontal wires or trellis and trained along it. These include the stunning Ceabothus ‘California lilac’, a magnet to bees, and Pyracantha, often referred to as Firethorn. Some shrubs, including Euonymus ‘Emerald Gaiety’, don’t need support; they will send roots out as they grow and cling to the fence given enough time.
1. Lonicera Henryi ‘Copper Beauty’
- Growing Conditions: Prefers sunny to partially shaded position in well-drained soil.
- Eventual Height and Spread: 200cm height x 100cm spread (79 inches x 39 inches).
- Pruning: Prune lightly for shape and removal of dead or overgrown branches in late winter or early spring.
I had to start with one of my favourite evergreen climbers. Lonicera ‘Copper Beauty’ is one of many Honeysuckle climbers, but this stunning evergreen variety is perfect for fences and is an excellent alturnative to the deciduous varieties.
I would best describe its foliage as glossy green, with the young foliage in spring being coppery-tinged. However, it also comes into its own with its fragrant flowers that attract many pollinators, including bees and butterflies. It’s best planted in sunny to partially shaded positions in well-drained soil to get the most out of it. In terms of care, regular watering until established and occasional pruning to remove dead or overgrown branches help it to establish and branch out.
With an eventual height and spread of around 2 meters, or just under 7ft, it’s also not too vigorous, making it ideal for small gardens. Just watch for aphids, as they love the fresh growth in spring but can easily be controlled with pesticides or even a soapy water mix. As with many climbers, powdery mildew can take hold, so spray it with a fungicide at the first signs.
2. Jasminum beesianum (Red Jasmine)
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in a sunny or partially shaded position in well-drained soil.
- Eventual Height and Spread: 300cm height x 150cm spread (118 inches x 59 inches).
- Pruning: Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage flowering.
Next on my list is one of the most popular climbers in my family’s nursery, Red Jasmine, also known as Jasminum beesianum. What I really like about this jasmine variety is the delicate pink flowers and sweet fragrance.
It is also a fairly versatile climber and does well in both a sunny and partially shaded position. Like most jasmine or climbers for that matter, well-drained soil is a must as they don’t like wet feet. While I would say they require minimal maintenance, regular watering during dry periods and light pruning to maintain the shape and encourage flowering will keep them looking their best.
Now, this part is important; in most parts of the UK, particularly in sheltered positions, Jasminum beesianum is evergreen, so it wants to lose its leaves and provides year-round interest with its glossy green leaves. I live in the North West in Manchester, and they always keep their leaves in my part of the country. However, it may be deciduous in colder regions, such as in the north of England and Scotland, meaning it will lose its leaves in winter but will bounce back in spring.
In terms of eventual size, I find they usually get to around 3 meters in height and spread so around 10 feet, offering a decent coverage that’s perfect for fencing without overwhelming the space. Just keep an eye out for common pests such as aphids, though these issues can easily be managed to keep the plant healthy.
3. Clematis urophylla ‘Winter Beauty’
- Growing Conditions: Prefers a partial shady position but tolerates full sun if the roots are shaded. Plant in moist, well-drained soil.
- Eventual Height and Spread: 400cm height x 100cm spread (157 inches x 39 inches).
- Pruning: Prune lightly in early spring to remove dead or weak stems. Classified as Pruning Group 1 (no regular pruning needed).
The ‘Winter Beauty’ is an evergreen clematis known for producing flowers in winter, hence the name. Said flowers are waxy, bell-shaped flowers that sit amongst the lush foliage. It is a hardy plant that will tolerate sheltered, warm spots and produce stunning white blooms. It reaches heights upwards of 400cm and a spread of up to 120cm (4ft). This plant is perfect for beginners because it requires very little aftercare once planted and is easy to grow.
4. Trachelospermum jasminoides
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun and partial shade in well-drained soil in a sheltered position.
- Eventual Height and Spread: 600cm height x 300cm spread (236 inches x 118 inches).
- Pruning: Minimal pruning required; tidy up or shape in spring if necessary.
If you want the same white flowers as the ‘Winter Beauty’, but flowers that are smaller and a growing habit that is more prolific, this is the plant for you. This Jasmine is ideal for any place where you sit and relax along your fence because of its sweet fragrance.
The blooms will perfume the air all around your garden so it makes the perfect plant for planting around a patio area. The flowers are small, as mentioned, with a star shape. You will get thousands of them on a single plant. The flowers aren’t all that’s in store though because the foliage turns bronze and deep red in autumn, continuing the beauty into winter. It is a little more tender than some climbers and you will need to plant them positioned in a more sheltered spot and not in exposed areas.
5. Ceanothus ‘California lilac’
- Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun in well-drained soil but is also drought-tolerant once established.
- Eventual Height and Spread: Varies by variety, see further down under ceanothus varieties.
- Pruning: Light pruning to shape or remove dead wood after flowering, typically in late spring or early summer.
With its striking blue flowers and glossy evergreen foliage, the Californian lilac is a beautiful and low-maintenance option for any fence. While not strictly a climbing plant like clematis, ivy or Lonicera, Californian lilac, also known as Ceanothus, can be trained against a fence or wall. When training it against your fence, tie the stems loosely to the support using garden twine or soft ties, being careful not to damage the stems. Regular pruning after flowering will help keep your Ceanothus in shape and encourage new growth. To get the best out of it, I recommend planting Ceanothus in well-draining soil in a sunny position with enough space to grow to its full potential, maybe spacing 3 ft apart.
There are several Ceanothus varieties that are great for planting against a wall or fence and training, including:
- Ceanothus ‘Yankee Point’: This variety produces deep blue flowers in spring and early summer and can grow up to 4 metres tall. It is a very hardy variety that is well-suited for training against a wall or fence.
- Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’: With its beautiful lilac-blue flowers and glossy foliage, this variety can grow up to 2 metres tall and is perfect for training against a fence or wall and is a little more compact.
- Ceanothus ‘Skylark’: This compact variety grows up to 1.5 metres tall and produces masses of deep blue flowers in late spring. It is an excellent choice for smaller gardens or training against a low fence or wall.
- Ceanothus ‘Blue Mound’: This slow-growing variety has a compact, rounded habit and can be trained against a wall or fence to create a stunning feature. It produces beautiful deep blue flowers in spring and can reach a height of up to 1.5 metres so again is perfect for smaller fences.
6. Solanum laxum ‘Album’
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun and partial shade infertile, well-drained soil.
- Eventual Height and Spread: 600cm height x 400cm spread (236 inches x 157 inches).
- Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape, control the size and remove any frost-damaged stems.
To grow Solanum laxum ‘Album’ against a fence, choose a location with well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. It can grow up to 8 metres tall and 3 metres wide, so make sure to give it plenty of room to spread out. Ideally, it needs to be trained against trellis work or other support structures against the fence.
In terms of winter protection, Solanum laxum ‘Album’ is hardy down to around -5°C, but it’s best to provide some shelter during harsh winters or better ensure its planted in a more sheltered position. You can cover young plants with fleece to protect them from cold winds and frost but established plants in sheltered positions should be ok. This plant is generally low maintenance, but it will benefit from regular pruning to keep it tidy and prevent it from becoming too bushy. Prune in late winter or early spring, removing dead or damaged growth and cutting back any stems that have outgrown their space.
7. Pyracantha (Firethorn)
- Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade; adaptable to most soil types including dry conditions.
- Eventual Height and Spread: Up to 400cm height x 300cm spread (157 inches x 118 inches).
- Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and remove any unwanted growth.
Pyracantha is an evergreen shrub but can be trained against a wall which makes it an excellent alturnative to a climbing plant such as Jasmine. They have sharp thorns, dark green leaves, and clusters of bright berries in the autumn, making them an eye-catching addition to any garden, and the berries are a great food source for the birds. Pyracantha is generally easy to grow and care for, but it does benefit from regular watering, especially during dry periods.
To grow and train Pyracantha against a fence, choose a location with well-draining soil in full sun or partial shade. It can grow up to 3 metres tall and 2 metres wide, so make sure to give it plenty of space to spread out. When training Pyracantha against a fence, you can either tie the stems to the fence using garden ties or train it up a trellis or other support structure. You can also prune it to keep it in shape and prevent it from becoming too bushy. Pruning can be done in the winter or early spring, cutting back any damaged or crossing branches and shaping the plant to fit the space.
8. Clematis armandii
- Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun but will grow in partial shade with shelter from cold winds. Plant in well-drained, fertile soil.
- Eventual Height and Spread: 500cm height x 300cm spread (197 inches x 118 inches).
- Pruning: Minimal pruning needed. If required, prune lightly after flowering to shape and remove any dead or damaged stems.
This particular clematis is different from other varieties in that the flowers are much smaller and they take on the star shape appearance. However, this one grows particularly quickly so if you need to cover a large space very quickly this is a great choice. You will get pretty white blooms that have a delightful fragrance, making it the perfect plant for growing right alongside the storage area you have for your waste or recycling bins.
They will remain colourful and stunning all year round and have fairly large leaves so you never have to worry about your fence looking dull. There are also several varieties of the clematis armandii, with some taking on a more pinkish tinge to the flowers.
9. Clematis ‘Early Sensation’
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun or partial shade in well-drained, fertile soil.
- Eventual Height and Spread: 250cm height x 100cm spread (98 inches x 39 inches).
- Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and health. Classified as Pruning Group 1 (no regular pruning needed).
Yet another clematis for consideration is the ‘Early Sensation’ variety. It is called that because it flowers early compared to the other clematis varieties. The blooms are large and fragrant, richly white with stamens with a dense, yellow-green hue.
The blooms are surrounded by green foliage that starts out bronze when it is young, progressing to a darker and darker green with age. You can train this plant easily up your fence and over. It reaches a spread of around 1 metre and a height of 2 metres so doesn’t get too big, making it ideal for smaller places.
10. Euonymus ‘Emerald Gaiety’
- Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade; thrives in a wide range of soil types.
- Eventual Height and Spread: 100cm height x 150cm spread (39 inches x 59 inches).
- Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to shape or control size as needed.
This evergreen shrub can be trained as a climber to add vertical interest to your garden, with its glossy variegated leaves providing an attractive backdrop to other plants. Euonymus ‘Emerald Gaiety’ is one of my favourite plants to grow as a climber; not many gardeners realise it can be grown as a climber and will even attach itself to a wall or fence like a climber with a bit of support to get it started.
To grow Euonymus ‘Emerald Gaiety’ as a climber, start by planting it about 60cm away from the wall or fence you want to train it against. As it grows, tie the stems loosely to the support using garden string. It’s best to prune Euonymus after flowering to keep it in shape and encourage new growth. This plant prefers a sunny or partially shaded position with well-drained soil. It can grow up to 1.5 metres making it a great climber to provide all year-round interest.
11. Hedera helix ‘Glacier’
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun and heavy shade where most plants failand in most soil types, including poor soils; highly versatile.
- Eventual Height and Spread: Can climb up to 300cm height or spread as ground cover (approximately 118 inches in height or spread).
- Pruning: Prune any time of the year to control growth and maintain desired shape or size.
This plant is known as the ‘Goldheart’ because the centre of the otherwise rich, dark, verdant leaves is filled with a creamy yellow heart-like shading.
Ivy is a fast climber so it will quickly take over your fence and offer a dense collection of leaves. It grows in walls or fences where there is sun or shade, perfect for brightening an otherwise dark region.
But be advised, it will reach up to 8 metres in both spread and height, so be sure to trim appropriately because it can be a little invasive. This is a plant that should be planted with caution because of how invasive it can be.
12. Sollya heterophylla
- Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun or partial shade; well-drained, fertile soil but needs shelter from cold winds.
- Eventual Height and Spread: 200cm height x 100cm spread (79 inches x 39 inches).
- Pruning: Minimal pruning is required. If necessary, prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth.
Referred to as Ultra Blue, this Blue Bell creeper produces some of the brightest blue flowers you have ever seen. You will have an endless supply of bell-shaped blue flowers all summer long that are unlike any flowers you’ve ever had before.
Grow it in an area with full sun or dappled shade and you can train it to grow around a trellis or any other support system so that it is as eye-catching as possible.
It is very easy to grow and once it is in place you have to do very little to care for it afterwards, making it perfect for beginners. You can plant it along your fence and almost forget about it. It reaches a spread of up to 60cm and a height of up to 200cm so is also perfect for smaller gardens.
13. Clematis cirrhosa ‘Freckles’
- Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun but will grow in partial shade but needs well-drained, fertile soil.
- Eventual Height and Spread: 400cm height x 100cm spread (approximately 157 inches x 39 inches).
- Pruning: Minimal pruning. Prune lightly after flowering to remove dead or damaged stems. Classified as Pruning Group 1 (no regular pruning needed).
It gets its name from the freckled colour of purples that dot the inside of the flowers. This clematis will provide colour all through the winter and bloom early each year, producing cup-shaped flowers where other plants fail to flower.
It has glossy green leaves that require very little maintenance. This, too, has a large size when fully grown, upwards of 300cm in height and 150cm in spread.
14. Passiflora caerulea (Passion flower)
- Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; rich in well-drained soil. Prefers a sheltered position but can loose its leaves in cold climates in an open position.
- Eventual Height and Spread: 1000cm height x 300cm spread (394 inches x 118 inches).
- Pruning: Prune in early spring to remove dead wood and encourage new growth, and to keep the size manageable and healthy.
Known more commonly as the blue passionflower, this is the most common of the passion flowers. It is a semi-green vine that will grow upwards of 10m or more, and cover your entire fence with some of the most unique, tropical blooms.
It’s probably the most eye-catching of all flowers and when planted in a sheltered position will create a stunning display. There are lots of tender varieties that are only really suitable for indoors so make sure you get the Passiflora caerulea variety.
Now that you know what your best options are, consider which ones you like most. It comes down to personal preference; no evergreen is better than the other, simply better in some situations or climates than others.
Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
