Climbing plants allow us to have special places in the garden or even in a small patio. Either for the ornamental value of its flowers or for the shade they provide, there are species with which it is possible to enjoy a unique corner, since there are many that can be grown outdoors.
Which are? If you would like to know their names and characteristics, below we will show you our selection of outdoor climbing plants, resistant to cold and frost.
Deciduous outdoor climbing plants
All the deciduous climbing plants are those that lose their foliage at some time of the year. For example, those who come to tropical regions are left without it as soon as the dry season begins; but those from temperate regions do so in autumn or winter depending on how mild the climate is in those seasons. The most suitable are:
Bignonia rose (Podranea ricasoliana)
Image - Flickr / Salomé Bielsa
La pink bignoniaAlso known as Pandora shrub, it is a vigorous, fast-growing climber that can grow to 10 meters or more. It blooms in late summer and sometimes fall as well, producing large pink flowers if in a sunny area and growing in rich, somewhat cool soil. Resists weak frosts down to -5ºC, but only if they are punctual.
Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis 'Alba')
Image - Wikimedia / 椎 林 隆夫
All varieties of wisteria They are spectacular and very resistant, but if you are looking for something that is not so common we recommend the white flower, the Alba. Likewise, you should know that it can be up to 20 meters long if it has support, and that it develops very robust stems. Its leaves are compound, and during the spring its clusters of flowers sprout in great numbers. Yes indeed, it needs a temperate climate, with mild summers, and acidic soils or substrates. Resists up to -15ºC.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)
Image - Wikimedia / Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
The honeysuckle is a small climber, which does not exceed 2 meters in height. In fact, more than a climber it is a shrub with long stems, which can be linked, for example, between the bars of a balcony or a small lattice. In late winter it blooms, producing white flowers. Needs some shade, and moderate watering. Resists up to -7ºC.
Virgin vine (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)
Image - Wikimedia / Rowan Adams
The virgin vine is one of the most beautiful climbers that exist. It can be up to 10 meters long, and develops normally trilobed or heart-shaped leaves that turn red in autumn. It grows very fast, both in full sun and in semi-shade, and it is not demanding on the ground either. Very well resistant to frosts down to -15ºC.
Cat's claw (Dolichandra unguis-cati)
Image - Wikimedia / Forest & Kim Starr
The deciduous climber known as cat's claw is medium in size. It is about 12 meters long, and develops green leaves made up of two leaflets. In spring it produces many yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. It is easy to care for, in fact the only and important drawback is that it is better to be kept in a pot, since its roots are very invasive. But otherwise you just have to put it in the sun and water it from time to time. Resists up to -8ºC.
Evergreen outdoor climbing plants
If you are interested in a climber that has leaves all year round, then you have to look for species that are evergreen. These are ideal to put in areas where you want to have shade, such as in a series of arches or lattices that form a path; although you must bear in mind that certain plants do not tolerate direct sun. These are the ones we recommend:
Beaumontia (Beaumontia grandiflora)
Image - Flickr / Tatters ✾
The beaumontia or white trumpet is a beautiful climber that grows up to 5 meters in height. It has dark green leaves and very large white flowers that give off a very pleasant intense aroma. It needs sun, or at least half shade, and moderate watering. It is sensitive to cold, but can withstand up to -2ºC if there are occasional frosts.
False jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
Image - Flickr / red.wolf
El fake jasmine It is a wonderful plant, with flowers very similar to those of jasmine but much more resistant to cold than this. These flowers bloom in spring and summer, sometimes also in autumn; they are white and very fragrant. It likes both the sun and semi-shade, and grows in almost any type of soil, as long as it is fertile.. It supports well up to -10ºC.
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Image - Wikimedia / Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
La common ivy It is a climber that is up to 20 meters long, and has leaves that are light green when young, and dark green when they finish maturing. It blooms in spring, but its flowers often go unnoticed. To grow in conditions it has to be in shade, since it does not tolerate direct sun. It tolerates frosts down to -20ºC.
Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea)
La pasionaria it is a climber with a fast growth rate. It reaches a height of 15 meters, and develops green palmate leaves and very beautiful bluish flowers that appear only in spring in temperate regions. It needs sun or semi-shade, and it is a plant that supports frosts down to -5ºC.
solano (Solanum jasminoides)
Image - Wikimedia / Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
El solano It is a shrub with a climbing habit that grows up to 5 meters long. It tends to grow messy, so annual pruning is recommended to control it. Its flowers are white or bluish, depending on the variety, and they sprout in spring. You have to put it in a sunny or semi-shady area, and in soils or lands that are rich in organic matter. It supports up to -4ºC, but if the weather is very cold it will lose leaves and will sprout again in spring.
Which of these outdoor climbers did you like the most? With any of them it is possible to have a dream corner, in which to enjoy the flowers, the shade, or both at the same time. Growing them is not too complicated if you take into account the hardiness of the plant and its basic needs. Therefore, we hope you liked our selection.