Climbers for a south-facing wall

Not sure of your garden aspect? Take a look at our guide to garden shade to find out.

For south-facing beds and borders, don't forget to check out some of the best plants for south-facing borders. And take a look at this video with Alan Titchmarsh, who suggests some alternatives to wisteria for a south-facing wall.

Discover some of the best climbers for a south-facing wall, below.

Clematis

All clematis can be grown in full sun, and with so many clematis cultivars, you're spoilt for choice. Keep in mind, though, that clematis like their roots cool. Achieve this by planting deeply, with the rootball 5cm below the soil surface. Mulch generously in spring.

Grapevines

Grapevines (Vitis vinifera) relish heat and sunshine. They have extensive root systems, so will perform better if planted in the ground, rather than a container. Whichever you choose, be sure to incorporate lots of organic matter, like leaf mould or well-rotted manure.

Wisteria

These popular climbers are grown for their lush, bushy foliage and fragranced blooms. Most often grown are Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda), both of which enjoy growing in moist, well-drained soil. Here's our advice on how to summer prune wisteria.

Actinidia

The genus Actinidia includes kiwi fruits (Actinidia deliciosa), as well as ornamental vines like kolomikta (Actinidia kolomikta). Both are very attractive vines, the latter having striking leaves with pink tips.

Trachelospermum

Star jasmines like Trachelospermum jasminoides and Trachelospermum asiaticum will thrive if grown up a sheltered, south-facing wall. Both produce richly fragranced flowers, though Trachelospermum asiaticum is thought to be the hardier of the two.

Honeysuckle

Lots of honeysuckles (Lonicera) can be grown in full sun, though some are invasive, so it's best to stick to the native climbing species like Lonicera periclymenum, which provides shelter and berries for birds, plus nectar-rich flowers for pollinating insects.

Campsis

Commonly known as trumpet vines, campsis are spectacular, exotic-looking vines with blooms in hot shades of yellow, orange and red. Pictured is the popular cultivar 'Madame Galen'.

Planting in hot spots

If you're planting a climber in a hot, sunny spot in the garden, it's usually beneficial to incorporate a generous helping of organic matter into the planting hole. In thin, sandy soils, it'll help improve moisture retention. In heavy, clay soils, it'll open up the soil structure, improving drainage, while holding onto enough water to supply the plant's roots.