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climbing plants for arches

Transform your garden into an enchanting sanctuary with climbing plants for arches. Whether you’re looking to create a lush entranceway, a vibrant focal point, or a private retreat beneath a canopy of blooms and foliage, choosing the right climbing plants for arches is key. With their ability to add vertical beauty, soften hard structures, and offer scent or seasonal interest, climbing plants can make any archway a showstopper. In New Zealand, there are a wide variety of climbers to suit every garden style, from sun-loving tropicals to elegant shade-tolerant varieties.

Clematis montana 'Rubens' pink flower with purple-green foliage.

Clematis montana 'Rubens'

Clematis montana 'Rubens' is a vigorous and stunning deciduous climber known for its profusion of soft pink, vanilla-scented flowers in spring. The blooms contrast beautifully with the bronze-tinged foliage, creating an impressive display on fences, pergolas, and trellises.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 7.00 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Arches, Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Hedera 'Golden Ingot' plant with green and yellow foliage.

Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot'

Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot' is a striking evergreen ivy admired for its bright golden-yellow foliage edged with soft green tones. This compact and hardy climber provides year-round colour and texture, perfect for brightening shaded or dull garden areas. It's ideal for use as ground cover, a trailing plant, or for training on trellises and walls.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Arches, Banks, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen, Walls
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
Pandorea jasminoides variegata pink flower and variegated foliage.
Pandorea jasminoides 'Variegata'

Pandorea jasminoides 'Variegata' is a climber that features light pink, trumpet-shaped flowers with a dark pink throat from spring through autumn...

From$24.95
solanum-jasminoides-grandiflora-
Solanum jasminoides 'Grandiflora' (Potato Vine)

Solanum jasminoides 'Grandiflora' is a vigorous evergreen climber renowned for its larger than usual clusters of star shaped white flowers and...

From$24.95
Jasminum officinale elegant white flowers.
Jasminum officinale

Jasminum officinale is a much loved climbing plant prized for its masses of small white star shaped flowers and beautiful sweet fragrance through...

From$24.77
A Tui in a Metrosideros carminea shrub feeding on the red flowers.
Metrosideros carminea

Metrosideros carminea, commonly known as Climbing Rata or Crimson Rata Vine, is a striking New Zealand native valued for its vivid red flowers and...

From$26.15
Pandorea rosea superba elegant pink flowers.
Pandorea rosea superba

Pandorea rosea superba is a climber that produces bright pink, trumpet-shaped flowers with a dark pink throat, which are produced from spring through...

From$24.95
rhaphidophora-decursiva-
Rhaphidophora decursiva

Rhaphidophora decursiva (Dragon Tail Plant) is a striking tropical climber known for its large, deeply split leaves that become more dramatic as the...

From$44.09
Pandorea jasminoides Charisma plant with variegated leaves and pink flowers.
Pandorea 'Charisma'

Pandorea 'Charisma' is a striking evergreen climber known for its profuse clusters of creamy white trumpet-shaped flowers, each accented with a vivid...

From$24.95
Pandorea 'Ruby Heart' white flowers tinged with pink and lush, green foliage.
Pandorea 'Ruby Heart'

Pandorea 'Ruby Heart' carries glossy, dark green foliage, which is aesthetic in its own right. The foliage is adorned with showy clusters of...

From$24.95
A fantastic Wisteria 'Snow Showers' display of white flowers on a trellis.
Wisteria 'Snow Showers'

Wisteria 'Snow Showers' is a breathtaking deciduous climber that produces long, cascading racemes of pure white, fragrant flowers in spring. Also...

From$29.95
climbing-rose-cecil-brunner-1
Rose 'Cecil Brunner'

Rose 'Cecil Brunner' is a treasured old fashioned climbing rose, admired for its sprays of small, perfectly shaped soft pink flowers and delicate...

From$30.29
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) as a ground cover showing lush foliage and white flowers.
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)

Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a versatile, evergreen climber renowned for its glossy green leaves and masses of highly fragrant white...

From$29.95
Rosa banksiae 'Alba' growing on a pergola and featuring masses of stunning white flowers.
Rosa banksiae 'Alba' (Banksia Rose)

Rosa banksiae 'Alba' (White Banksia Rose) is a spectacular climbing rose prized for its masses of small pure white flowers produced in spring. This...

From$30.29
grape-niagra-3
Grape 'Niagra'

Grape 'Niagra' is a well known white grape variety valued for its sweet flavour and juicy fruit, making it ideal for fresh eating and home growing in...

From$29.95
Ficus pumila 'Ice Caps' plant with trailling variegated foliage.
Ficus 'Ice Caps'

Ficus 'Ice Caps' is a variety of Creeping Fig that features variegated leaves. It carries small, heart-shaped leaves which are light green with a...

From$9.95
grape-steubens--1
Grape 'Steubens'

Grape 'Steubens' is a popular table grape known for its sweet, juicy red berries and reliable performance in NZ gardens. This vigorous vine produces...

From$29.95
grape-albany-surprise-
Grape 'Albany Surprise'

Grape 'Albany Surprise' is a reliable grape variety known for its sweet, flavoursome fruit and strong growth in NZ gardens. This vigorous vine...

From$29.95
Abutilon megapotamicum red and yellow flower.
Abutilon megapotamicum

Abutilon megapotamicum, commonly known as Trailing Abutilon or Chinese Lantern, is a graceful shrub with arching stems and distinctive red and yellow...

From$22.95
Hedera 'Silver Variegata' dark green and cream variegated foliage.
Hedera 'Silver Variegated'

Hedera 'Silver Variegated' is a striking evergreen ivy with silvery-green leaves edged in creamy white. Its elegant variegation brightens shaded...

From$14.95
epipremnum-golden-queen-
Epipremnum 'Golden Queen'

Epipremnum 'Golden Queen' adds distinctive interest to NZ planting. This variety stands out for its vibrant colouring and adaptability to a wide...

From$33.05
Chlorophytum 'Golden Glow' plant.
Chlorophytum 'Golden Glow'

Chlorophytum 'Golden Glow' is an attractive evergreen perennial valued for its bright foliage and easy care nature. The narrow, arching leaves form a...

From$24.95
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum'

Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' (Spider Plant) is a popular evergreen perennial valued for its arching green and white striped foliage and easy...

From$39.95
Moss pole for plants.
Moss Pole For Plants (Moss Pole For Plants)

These moss poles for plants are made from Coir Fibre (i.e., the husks of coconuts). They are an eco-friendly option to help plants grow healthier and...

From$6.90
Variegated Monstera plant in a pot with cream and green foliage.
Monstera albo 'variegata'

The Albo Variegata Monstera, also known as the Variegated Monstera, is a striking indoor plant prized for its large, split leaves splashed with...

From$149.95
zamioculcas-black-knight-
Zamioculcas 'Black Knight' (ZZ ZZ Plant)

Zamioculcas 'Black Knight' is a very popular indoor plant owing to its dark and showy foliage. It grows as a clump and produces upright fronds which...

From$41.33
Fuchsia procumbens plant growing across the ground with green foliage and yellow-green flowers.
Fuchsia procumbens (Climbing Fuchsia)

Fuchsia procumbens, commonly known as Creeping Fuchsia, is a low-growing, NZ native plant valued for its unique yellow-red flowers and ornamental...

From$14.95
clianthus-puniceus-
Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

From$44.09
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' plants in a cottage garden featuring orange flowers and lush green foliage.
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' (Hot Poker Plant)

Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' is a variety of the commonly known Red Hot Poker, and is grown for its colourful flowers. Stems rise above the foliage...

From$20.63
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana 'Variegata' (Variegated Century Plant)

Agave americana 'Variegata' is a striking evergreen succulent valued for its bold architectural form and strongly variegated foliage. It forms a...

From$15.95
A strong and studry planting spade.
Ace1 Planting Spade

The Ace 1 planting spade is a must for any gardener. This spade is designed so it can penetrate the ground easily without jarring the wrists in the...

From$225.86
native-plant-fertiliser-
Native Plant Fertiliser

Native Plant Fertiliser is specially formulated to support healthy growth in a wide range of NZ native plants. It provides balanced nutrition to...

From$16.95
Clematis montana 'Rubens'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Clematis, Hedera, and Jasminum, or related Categories - Deciduous Climbers, Evergreen Climbers, and Indoor Plants.

Search climbing plants for arches

Best Climbing Plants for Arches in New Zealand

Selecting climbing plants for arches depends on your style, sunlight, and how much maintenance you prefer. Here are a few exceptional choices:

Vibrant and Tropical Arch Climbers

For a splash of colour and a touch of the tropics, Bougainvillea 'Pedro' is hard to beat. This hardy, drought-tolerant beauty flourishes in full sun, covering arches quickly with dazzling magenta bracts that bloom for months.

Another showstopper, Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood', delivers striking red trumpet flowers and glossy foliage. It loves warm, sheltered spots and can flower from spring well into autumn, making it perfect for a standout display on garden arches.

Unique New Zealand Natives

If you’re after something distinctly Kiwi, Tecomanthe speciosa is a rare native climber featuring lush leaves and dramatic, bell-shaped pale blooms. It thrives in semi-shade and is perfect for covering arches in sheltered courtyards or subtropical plantings.

Elegant Shade-Loving Climbers

For archways in part or full shade, Hydrangea petiolaris is an excellent choice. This self-clinging hydrangea produces masses of snow-white lacecap flowers in early summer and develops bronze autumn foliage, creating multi-season interest without demanding much attention.

Exotic Indoor Options

Fancy bringing your arches indoors or to a conservatory? Rhaphidophora decursiva is an architectural beauty with dramatic, deeply-lobed leaves. When given a sturdy frame, this climber can add a lush, tropical ambiance to interior archways or garden rooms.

How to Train Climbing Plants for Arches

Plant your climbers at the base of your arch, giving them plenty of room to grow. Gently tie new shoots to the arch structure as they appear, spreading stems evenly to encourage good coverage. Most climbing plants for arches thrive when their roots are kept cool and moist, so consider mulching and watering regularly during dry spells.

Why Choose Climbing Plants for Arches

Climbing plants not only bring vertical interest and beauty to outdoor spaces but also attract pollinators, create privacy, and help break up strong winds. By choosing the right climbing plants for arches—whether tropical, native, evergreen, or floriferous—you can create a living framework that matures beautifully for years to come.

Explore our full range of Rhaphidophora decursiva, Bougainvillea 'Pedro', Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood', Hydrangea petiolaris, and Tecomanthe speciosa to find the perfect climber for your garden arch. Dive into a world of colour, foliage, and form with the best climbing plants for arches in New Zealand.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

From trusted favourites like Ficus 'Tuffi' and Coprosma acerosa to fresh faces like Escallonia 'Red Knight', Philodendron 'Xanadu', and Carex flagellifera 'Red' — we’ve got you covered.
–The Plant Company

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