30 Fastest Growing Climbing Plants

What are the Fastest Growing Climbing Plants?

Sick of looking at that hideous wall, fence, or building? I don’t blame you. There’s nothing worse than being pulled back into reality by ugly, manmade objects – especially when all you really want is fresh air and greenery. 

But out of sight, out of mind, right? This article is jam-packed full of information on fast growing climbing plants to keep those unattractive areas of your garden shielded from view. Let’s dig in. 

1. Sweet Pea

Scientific name: Lathyrus odoratus

Sweet Peas produce a plethora of scented flowers that delight the eyes and nose. Grow this annual climber up a trellis or obelisk for a stunning, multicoloured display.  

Gregor Mendel used Sweet Peas to study modern genetics. Using this group of plants, he confirmed and founded much of what we now know about genetics. 

2. Perennial Sweet Pea

Scientific name: Lathyrus latifolius

When it comes to fast growing climbers, the Perennial Sweet Pea definitely makes the list. Cousin to the Sweet Pea, this perennial variety kicks into action during the summer, producing a profusion of vibrant blooms. It dies down during the colder months. 

This climber lacks the Sweet Pea’s attractive aroma, but it’s still popular among butterflies and bees. 

3. Virginia Creeper

Scientific name: Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Virginia Creeper is known and loved for its captivating autumnal colour; its leaves transform from green to vibrant crimson. It’s an easy-going plant, thriving in any lighting and soil type, making it ideal for a busy or novice gardener.  

If you spot the Virginia Creeper in the wild, you’ll notice its staggering height! It grows to 100ft tall. But don’t worry, it won’t exceed 50ft in your garden. 

4. Nasturtium

Scientific name: Tropaeolum

Nasturtium will happily climb up any pergola or trellis and keep whitefly away from your crops. This plant really is a hit with wildlife – its flowers attract bumblebees in their many, and you’ll find caterpillars and butterflies munching on its leaves, too!

Similarly to the Virginia Creeper, Nasturtiums prosper in neglect; they’re low-maintenance plants at their best! 

5. Climbing Hydrangea

Scientific name: Hydrangea petiolaris

In the UK, we love Hydrangeas for their voluminous flower clusters that come in striking pink, purple, and blue shades. Climbing Hydrangea will ascend anything, given half the chance. 

You can expect to see the big blooms from the beginning of summer to the middle of autumn. 

6. Chocolate Vine

Scientific name: Akebia quinata

Unlike the Climbing Hydrangea, you won’t often see the Chocolate Vine in a UK garden. And who knows why! It’s a fast-growing, evergreen plant with five-leaflet leaves and flowers boasting a dark, rich colour and chocolaty aroma. 

Chocolate Vine’s fruit is enjoyed in Japan as a delicacy. 

7. Russian Vine

Scientific name: Fallopia baldschuanica

You’ll need to keep a watchful eye on this ferocious climber, as if not kept under control, it can quickly consume your garden! It can grow to a whopping 13ft, not in its lifetime, but annually! 

For this reason, it’s recommended to take caution when growing Russian Vine. 

8. Fire Vine

Scientific name: Ipomoea Iobata

Gardens growing Fire Vine instantly grab any onlooker’s attention. This flowering climber boasts racemes of flowers that dangle down and produce a red to a pale yellow colour gradient. 

This plant is often referred to as “Spanish Flag”. It gains both its common names from the resemblance of its flowers to fire and the Spanish national flag. 

9. Crimson Glory Vine

Scientific name: Vitis coignetiae

The Crimson Glory Vine really does take all the glory with its enlarged, heart-shaped leaves that transform from green to scarlet to orange to yellow throughout the autumn. It is frequently grown as an ornamental plant for this attractive quality. 

10. Rambling Roses

Scientific name: Rosa

There are many species of Rambling Roses, so when it comes to flower colour, size, and scent, you have the pick of the litter. Rambling Roses quickly climb up any vertical surface and can be positioned in partially shady spots. 

Try ‘Rambling Rector’ for its speedy growth and soft white flowers, or allow ‘Super Fairy’ to cause a stir with its vibrant pink double blooms. 

11. Pink Japanese Wisteria

Scientific name: Wisteria Rosea

Who wouldn’t want to add the undulating blooms of the Pink Japanese Wisteria to their garden display? Other Wisteria species grow quickly, but not like this variety. 

Looking for fast growing climbers for fences? This may be the one for you! Pink Japanese Wisteria will quickly hide any fence, wall, or outbuilding. It’s a hardy plant that’s happy to grow in wet, cold UK conditions. 

12. Trumpet Vine

Scientific name: Campsis radicans

Trumpet Vine is another of the quick growing climbers, covering an ugly wall or outbuilding in no time. But watch out; it will become aggressive if not tended to.

Try the ‘Flamenco’ variety. Called ‘Flamenco’ for a reason, this plant puts on a vibrant display of orange-pink flowers. The blooms are shaped much like a trumpet, a trait particularly appealing to hummingbirds. 

13. Himalayan Clematis

Scientific name: Clematis Montana 

This plant produces striking blooms for four weeks, from late spring to summer. Himalayan Clematis has given rise to many Clematis cultivars. These range in flower shape, colour, and fragrance.

It’ll cover any unsightly structure, making it a popular choice in gardens all over the UK. 

14. Wilson’s Himalayan Clematis

Scientific name: Clematis montana var. wilsonii 

Wilson’s Himilayan Clematis is a cultivar of the Himilayan Clematis. It puts on a performance in late spring to early summer when the silky soft star-shaped blooms reveal themselves. 

Its foliage doesn’t disappoint either, with bronze-green leaves that are just as aesthetically pleasing. 

15. Golden Clematis

Scientific name: Clematis tangutica

Golden Clematis shows off a burst of yellow-gold flowers similar to lanterns in appearance. But that isn’t the end of the display – silky, fluffy seedheads succeed the blooms. You’ll need to cut this one back as it also tends to take over gardens. 

16. Common Ivy

Scientific name: Hedera helix

For a strictly vegetative display, opt for the Common Ivy. This hardy plant doesn’t need tending to. Just stick it against a wall or outbuilding. It won’t just shield it from view; it’ll partially protect and insulate it, too!

There are many varieties to choose from sporting different foliage colouration; take your pick! 

17. Boston Ivy

Scientific name: Parthenocissus tricuspidata

Boston Ivy’s autumnal colour show is spectacular, mixing vibrant red with warm orange and deep purples. The plant has tiny sucker discs which secrete calcium carbonate. This provides adhesion, thus enabling the Boston Ivy to quickly ascend any vertical surface. 

18. Chinese Wisteria

Scientific name: Wisteria sinensis

The profusion of sweet-smelling blue/purple blooms makes the Chinese Wisteria an excellent choice for a floral climbing plant. This plant’s twining stems will cling to just about anything – a trellis, pergola, wall, or outbuilding. 

But beware, the glycoside harboured within the plant are toxic.

19. Star Jasmine

Scientific name: Trachelospermum jasminoides

Star Jasmine isn’t hard to distinguish, with its distinctive star-shaped blooms that rapidly cover any trellis or wall. It’s an excellent climber that’s easy to maintain and quickly grows 30ft tall. 

What’s more, its sweet, heady fragrance has been used in perfumes for decades. Just make sure your Star Jasmine plant has adequate support; otherwise, it’ll flop all over the place!

20. Kiwi

Scientific name: Actinidia deliciosa

Not just a fabulous addition to your fruit bowl, Kiwi is an excellent climbing plant option. It features dainty white flowers and, of course, we all know about its furry fruit. 

This plant is an easy grower and works wonders on a pergola or up a trellis. ‘Jenny’ is the ideal choice for a UK garden due to its heart-shaped flowers and ability to self-pollinate. 

21. Common Hops

Scientific name: Humulus lupulus

Common Hops climbs using downward-facing hairs that grip onto surfaces. If you treat this plant well, it may grow as tall as 35ft and live to the ripe old age of 20 years old. Common Hops’ fruit is an essential component in beer, adding the bitterness and keeping it fresh for longer. 

22. Honeysuckle

Scientific name: Lonicera

Well-known and adored for its speedy growth and fragrant flowers, Honeysuckle is a popular ornamental choice in UK gardens. Pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds will come in thick and fast with Honeysuckle around. 

23. Honeysuckle ‘Copper Beauty’

Scientific name: Lonicera henryi ‘Copper Beauty’

Of all Honeysuckle varieties, ‘Copper Beauty’ (also frequently called ‘Henry’s Honeysuckle’) comes out on top, with its dark verdant leaves and contrasting yellow blooms. 

It’ll reach heights of just under 30ft and isn’t fussed whether it receives full sun or a little shade.

24. Potato Vine

Scientific name: Solanum laxum

If you’ve already planted a climber but it’s lacking lustre and a little gappy, get yourself a Potato Vine to fill in the holes. It’ll happily clamber through another climber, giving you that dense coverage you desire. 

This summer to autumn flowerer isn’t phased by drought, making it a go-to for novice gardeners. 

25. Armand Clematis

Scientific name: Clematis armandii

This evergreen climber boasts inky green leaves and cream-coloured blooms that appear in early spring. It’s a woody vine that twists around a trellis or obelisk to climb. 

Although a beautiful addition to any garden, Armand Clematis’ leaves and sap are toxic, causing severe symptoms if ingested. 

26. Evergreen Clematis

Scientific name: Clematis cirrhosa

Another clematis species is the Evergreen Clematis. This possesses a distinctive flower appearance, of baby pink blooms spotted with rich purple freckles. 

Your winter garden will benefit from this early bloomer, with blossoms that stick around right through until early spring. 

27. Passion Flower

Scientific name: Passiflora

Passion Flower has an exotic appearance unmatched by any other climber. Its unique flower shape attracts many wildlife species; hummingbirds, bumble- and carpenter bees, bats, and wasps. 

The ‘caerulea’ Passion Flower variety is the hardiest, making it the best low-maintenance option. Place your Passion Flower in a sheltered spot, where there’s lots of sun. 

28. Wisteria ‘Amethyst Falls’

Scientific name: Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’

Like undulating jewels, Wisteria ‘Amethyst Falls’ is a delight to witness. What makes this cultivar different is its suitability to a small garden, even with its fast growth rate. 

Just remember to keep it supported with a wire or trellis if it’s against a wall or a pergola if it’s freestanding. 

29. Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Scientific name: Thunbergia alata

This tropical climber features “Black-Eyed” in its name for a reason; its striking orange blooms are adorned with a dramatic black central eye. You may have seen this plant swinging overhead in a hanging basket, but it’s also a vigorous climber. 

30. Mexican Morning Glory

Scientific name: Ipomoea tricolor 

Mexican Morning Glory has blue trumpet-shaped flowers that appeal to humans and wildlife alike. Many cultivars have been created, but ‘Heavenly Blue’ and ‘Flying Saucers’ are top of the list. 

‘Heavenly Blue’ is of particular note because its flowers change colour from red to blue while blossoming. This is due to a change in pH.

A Climber for Everyone

Now we’ve covered all the fastest-growing climbers; you’re spoilt for choice. What will it be, a colour sensation like Crimson Glory Vine or Boston Ivy? Or is Chocolate Vine’s subtle beauty more your cup of tea? 

You’ll cover a contained area quickly with Russian Vine and Golden Clematis, but they’ll need maintaining, or you’ll be up to your ears in climbing plants!

The only thing left to do is go shopping!