Hardy Climbing Plants for the Balcony and Garden: Our Favorite Types and Varieties!

Hardy climbing plants are real eye-catchers all year round. Whether for greening the facade, as sun protection for the pergola or privacy screen for the patio – they have numerous uses in the garden or on the balcony. 

Evergreen Hardy Climbing Plants

The next three species grow quickly and are real eye-catchers all year round with their bright green foliage.

Hardy climbers: Fortune’s Spindle for The Garden

The wintercreeper Emerald’n Gold is a compact vine with beautiful green leaves with a yellow edge that turn pink in fall. The plant is very easy to care for and hardy, only needs a climbing aid in the first year and can manage without pruning. It has no special requirements in terms of location and thrives just as well in the shade as in the sun. A moderately fresh, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage provides the optimal conditions for rapid growth.

Also read: Hardy and Blooming Ground Covers: The Most Beautiful Species in the Garden for Sun And Shade

Hardy Climbing Plants: Star Jasmine for the Balcony

The hardy star jasmine is a bushy, slow-growing shrub that can reach a maximum height of 16 feet/5 meters. However, it tolerates topiary and can be kept compact if necessary. In May and June it bears its small, filigree white flowers, which exude a gentle aroma. Star jasmine is the perfect climbing plant for the balcony, garden fence or pillar. It prefers a location in the sun, but also tolerates partial shade. A nutrient-rich soil with high humus content encourages growth.

Evergreen Fragrant Wood Vine (Clematis) for the Balcony

Sweet clematis “Apple blossom” is a hardy plant with attractive pink-white flowers and evergreen foliage. It needs a sheltered spot and thrives best in sunny locations where its delicate leaves are protected from the strong midday sun. The flowering period begins in winter and extends into spring. The climbing plant requires trellis support and must be pruned annually. The shallow root needs nutrient-rich soil so that it can then sprout vigorously.

Also read: When to Plant Clematis? The Right Time Guarantees Lush Blooming in the Very First Year

Fast-Growing Hardy Climbing Plants

The next climbing plants are not only hardy, but also score with a high growth rate.

Fast-Growing Dutchman’s Pipe as a Privacy Screen

Dutchman’s Pipe (pipevine) is a particularly fast-growing plant, growing up to 32 feet/10 meters tall and shooting up a staggering 3 feet/1 meter per year. However, it grows just as profusely in width. Its purple-brown flowers adorn the shoots from June to early September. The plant is perfect for greening the facades of urban houses and can successfully regulate the indoor climate. However, the pipevine has a specific smell that attracts pollinating insects and that some people find unpleasant.

Wisteria for the Pergola

Wisteria is a very tough, hardy climbing plant. It needs climbing assistance and regular pruning to allow it to form its large flower buds. A moderately moist, well-drained soil and a sunny to partially shaded location offer the best conditions for a long flowering period. By the way, the plant is also resistant to urban climates, where it is mainly used for planting garden fences and facades.

Fall Flowering Climbing Plants

Fall is getting closer – but that doesn’t mean that we have to do without a wonderful bloom. The next three climbing plants color accents in the outdoor area even in the fall months!

Green the Fence with Trumpet Vine

The Trumpet vine impresses with its yellow-red flowers and green foliage. The climbing plant blooms tirelessly from August to October and is a valuable food source for insects and birds. The climbing plant needs climbing support, otherwise its shoots can break under the weight of the flowers. The garden fence also protects it from the wind so that it can grow quickly.

Blooming Rambler Roses for Rose Arches

Rambler roses bear their flowers in early summer. A second flowering in late summer/early fall is possible for varieties that flower more often. In fall, however, the plants have something else to offer – they bear rose hips.

Particularly beautiful varieties, in our opinion, are:

• “Awakening”, a pink flowering climber that is also great as a cut flower. It prefers sunny locations, but also tolerates partial shade.
• “Super Dorothy” impresses with its delicate, semi-double pink flowers and its light fragrance. This variety has a high resistance to powdery mildew and, with good care, will bloom until fall.
• “Lemon Rambler” is a climbing rose with double, creamy flowers. This variety is particularly popular for its gentle aroma.

All three are hybrid varieties.

The Evergreen Honeysuckle for Fences and Walls

Evergreen honeysuckle is the perfect plant for planting on the fence and wall. It grows quickly and is undemanding reaching a maximum height of 19 feet/6 meters. You can use it practically anywhere with the right climbing support. The climbing plant has a high ornamental value, but is not suitable as a screen windshield. It prefers a location in partial shade or shade and nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.