Types of Climbing Flowers
Climbing flowers are a perfect addition to any landscape. Because their height and width can be controlled by the structure they are grown on and they don't require much ground space, they are usable by both the city and country gardener. They are available as annuals, perennials and woody vines and use different methods of climbing to suit all landscaping needs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Climbing by Twining Stems
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Many climbing flowers bloom from vines that wrap themselves around a support structure. In these vines, the entire plant twists around the object. Some of these stems can wrap around tree trunks, but most require thinner support frames. An example of a twining stem flowering plant is the wisteria. When established, the wisteria stems become so heavy and woody that a strong structure is needed to support this plant.
Climbing by Twining Tendrils
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Some flowering climbers are also forms of vines, but instead of the vine itself twisting around the support structure, the plant grows tendrils or leaf-like appendages that wrap around the object. The blue passionflower is an example of a plant that climbs by tendrils. In some of these twining plants, the leaf stalk (or petiole) acts as a tendril. The lovely clematis is a plant that uses its petioles to climb.
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Climbing by Clinging
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Another method for plants to climb is for them to use their sticky aerial roots or special disks at the end of their tendrils to cling to a surface. This method enables the plants to climb up bare walls. They can use, but don't require, structures like trellises. The trumpet creeper is a hardy, fast-growing vine in this category that produces scarlet and orange flowers throughout the summer.
Climbing by Leaning
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Scramblers are plants that have long flexible stems and climb simply by leaning against another object. Although they do not twine around a structure as vines do, they still need an object to support their climb. Scramblers must also be attached to their support structure. Climbing roses are an example of flowers that climb by leaning. In the case of roses, their thorns also aid their climb by latching onto the support frame.
Uses
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Climbing flowers provide bountiful blooms to brighten any landscape. They add beauty to a privacy fence and can create shade when grown on an open framework. A variety of frames, such as trellises, pergolas, trees or bare walls can be used to support the plants.
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