Easy to Grow Evergreen Climbing plants
There are some easy to grow evergreen climbers which can add all year round interest in your garden, and scramble up walls and fences. Inevitably, the choice is more restricted because there are many more deciduous climbing plants to choose from. Many evergreen climbers are vigorous, garden speak for quick growing ideal if you want to cover up something in the garden. I have only listed hardy varieties because they are easy to grow. Most evergreen climbers (except Clematis armandii) are tough grow anywhere sort of plants which make our gardening easier.
Clematis armandii
Clematis armandii, illustrated here, is a lovely evergreen or semi evergreen climber. It flowers in early spring February & March onwards with scented flowers. But, to grow it, you must have the right conditions otherwise it looks a mess. It is H4 hardy so needs to be planted with the shelter of a wall, in full sun.
C. Armandii are easy to grow partly because they are vigorous. If you have good sheltered conditions, with well drained soil so there is not winter wet C. Armandii will quickly clothe a fence growing up to 8m in 5+ years.
Passion flower
Passiflora, an evergreen or semi-evergreen climber with lovely flowers (shown top right), illustrated here growing around a door. Most commonly grown because it is hardy is the blue Passiflora caerulea, the slide show also shows P. Constance Elliot, lovely white flowers and H4 hardy.
It is H4 hardy, which is -15, easy to grow in a sheltered south/west-facing wall or fence.
It is also vigorous and grows best, up to 12m, in full sun on a south/west-facing wall. In good conditions, it will also produce orange fruits after flowering.
More about growing Passion flower
Hedera Helix
This is our native Ivy, and the slideshow shows an immature and mature plant. Unusually, Hedera changes form on reaching maturity at around 10 years, its leaf shape changes and it produces fruits and flowers.
At this stage, not only is it very attractive, but it also is a haven for wildlife. Hedera is top of the list for wildlife, sheltering invertebrates, and birds. The abundant late-season nectar in the flowers attracts pollinators, and birds consume the berries in the autumn.
Hedera is shade tolerant, and will grow in dry shade, which is such a tricky spot to fill in the garden and it is hardy. More about Ivy.
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Also known as Star Jasmine it has lovely glossy foliage with star-shaped scented flowers this is one of the best evergreen garden climbing plants. While described as H4 hardy, it will benefit from being planted in a sunny, sheltered location away from cold winds. Well-drained soil is essential to prevent winter wetness.
Once established, it rewards well with very fragrant flowers, good foliage which turns bronze in the winter. Distinguish from Jasminum polyanthum, which is evergreen and scented but only H2 hardy suitable for conservatories.
Buy from Suttons where there is also a lovely pink variety 'Star of Milano'
C. ' Winter Beauty'
Clematis urophylla ' Winter Beauty has glossy foliage and nodding white flowers from around December to February.
It is H3 hardy, so it needs a bit more tlc, sheltered spot away from chilly winds. A south /west-facing wall will provide shelter and by virtue of the rain shadow, help to keep the soil dry and avoid winter wet.
I took these images in December, in Rutland, where the Clematis was growing well around a front door suggesting in the right conditions it is more hardy.
Crocus has 'Winter Beauty' for sale, including mature plants.
Garrya elliptica
You can easily train Garrya elliptica to cover a wall, as shown above. Its common name is silk tassel bush on account of the long tassels it produces over later autumn and winter. The slide show has a closeup of the tassels which look really impressive.
Easy to grow in most soil types and sun or semishade, it is evergreen and H4 hardy. That said, I have seen Garrya elliptica growing really well in the Pennines, which is a relatively cold area of the UK.
Pyracantha
You can do much the same with Pyracantha and train it up a wall. I have also seen it shaped around windows and front doors. Over autumn and early winter it has spectacular red, yellow or orange berries, depending on the variety.
Pyracantha is a tough grow anywhere shrub. It will grow in most soil types, sun and semi shade, and once established, is fairly drought resistant. It is also fast growing, around 50 cm a year and fully hardy H6 -20.
Both Crocus and Suttons have a good selection of several varieties of Pyracantha in a range of sizes.