Evergreen Climbing Plants For NZ Gardens

What Are The Best And Most Popular Evergreen Climbing Plants?

Choosing the right evergreen climber depends on several factors, such as your climate, whether you want an evergreen plant or not, flower colour, etc. Fortunately, The Plant Company has made the task of finding that perfect plant easy with our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the different filters for the plant type (climbers in this instance), your location, and evergreen. This tool will return a host of options. If there are still too many to choose from, simply turn on more filters.

To guide your decision-making process, some popular evergreen climbing plants are highlighted below:

• Clematis paniculata: This NZ native variety of clematis produces masses of white flowers in summer and autumn.
• Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides): This fragrant climber produces white flowers in spring and summer.
• Pandorea: These beautiful climbers produce showy flowers through spring and summer. The foliage is lush and dark green.
• Jasmine: These tend to be vigorous plants but are heavily scented and worth the effort of trimming them.
• Mandevilla: This beautiful climber produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers in a variety of colors throughout the summer.
• Passionfruit: Passionfruit plants offer both exotic flowers and tasty fruit. It does require a sheltered location free from frost.

What Are The Best Evergreen Climbing Plants For Arches?

Almost any climbing plant can be trained over an arch. The trick then becomes to find one that produces cascades of flowers or masses of small (and possibly fragrant) flowers. The Plant Company has made the task of finding that perfect climbing plant easy with our Plant Finder Tool. All you need to do is turn on the different filters for the plant type (climbers in this instance), your location, and evergreen. This tool will return different options for you to consider.

To guide your decision-making process, some popular evergreen climbing plants for arches are highlighted below:

• Clematis paniculata (New Zealand Clematis): This is a fast-growing climber with large, white, fragrant flowers in spring and summer.
• Tecomanthe speciosa Three Kings Climber: This is a vigorous climber with glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers in summer.
• Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine): This is a slow-growing climber with glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers that bloom in spring and summer.
• Bougainvillea: These are fast-growing climbers with brightly coloured bracts (modified leaves) that bloom in summer and autumn.
• Climbing roses: There are many different varieties of climbing roses available, with flowers in a wide range of colours, and some with and without fragrance.

NB: some of these will be deciduous or semi-deciduous in colder regions, so please check out the details that accompany each of our plants as you make your selections.

What Are Some Climbing Plant Combinations?

New Zealand's diverse climate allows for a wide variety of climbing plants to thrive, offering gardeners the opportunity to create stunning and vibrant combinations. Here are some inspiring ideas to get you started:

• Clematis and Climbing Rose: This classic pairing offers a delightful combination of colours and textures. Clematis, with its delicate blooms in various hues, complements the bold beauty of climbing roses. Choose varieties with complementary or contrasting colors for a show-stopping display.
• Honeysuckle and Jasmine: Indulge your senses with the intoxicating fragrance of honeysuckle and jasmine. These fragrant climbers intertwine beautifully, creating a perfumed haven in your garden. Choose early and late blooming varieties to extend the fragrance throughout the season.
• Passionfruit and Bougainvillea: Embrace the exotic with this combination. The vibrant blooms of passionflower, with their unique and intricate shapes, pair beautifully with the flamboyant bougainvillea.
• Clematis and Virginia Creeper: Combine the delicate blooms of clematis with the vibrant foliage of Virginia creeper. The green leaves of Virginia creeper provide a stunning backdrop for the colourful flowers, while adding a touch of autumnal charm as the leaves turn fiery red in autumn.
• Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea seemanii) and Star Jasmine: Play with contrasting leaf shapes and colors. The glossy green leaves of star jasmine create a perfect complement to the foliage and vibrant blooms of climbing Hydrangea. This combination is perfect for adding a touch of charm to your garden.

What Are Some Tropical Climbing Plants Used In NZ?

New Zealand's climate allows a surprising number of tropical and subtropical climbing plants to thrive. They add a touch of exotic flair to your garden and here are a few options to consider:

• Bougainvillea: This iconic climber is renowned for its vibrant, papery bracts that come in shades of pink, purple, orange, and red.
• Mandevilla: this vigorous climber feature trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, white, and yellow.
• Passionfruit: These captivating climbers come in various species, each boasting unique and mesmerizing flowers, with the bonus of tasty fruit.
• Star Jasmine: While not technically a true jasmine, this evergreen climber offers a delightful fragrance with its clusters of small, white flowers throughout spring and summer. It thrives in most light conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and adapts well to various soil types.
• Plumbago: This South African native showcases clusters of vibrant blue flowers throughout summer and autumn.
• Honeysuckle: Select fragrant varieties like Lonicera japonica or Lonicera sempervirens to fill your garden with intoxicating aromas. Prune them regularly to maintain their desired shape.
• Pandorea: the lush foliage and showy blooms are an absolute delight in a tropical garden.

Remember, while these plants can tolerate New Zealand's climate, they may require winter protection in colder regions. They will add a touch of exotic charm and vibrant blooms to your garden.

You can find more climbers using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the different filters for the plant type (climbers in this instance), your location, and any other characteristics you are wanting. This tool will return options based on your selections.

What Is The Fastest Growing Evergreen Climbing Plant?

While there isn't a definitive answer to the "fastest growing" title, as growth rates can vary depending on specific conditions, some evergreen climbing plants in New Zealand are known for their rapid growth:

1. Ivy (Hedera spp.): This classic choice is widely recognized for its vigorous growth, often reaching several meters in a single season. It thrives in various light conditions and adapts well to most soil types, making it a popular and versatile option.
2. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus tricuspidata): This fast-growing climber boasts attractive green foliage that transforms into fiery red shades in autumn.
3. Tecomanthe speciosa (Three Kings Climber): This vigorous climber showcases glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers in summer. It prefers a sunny position with well-drained soil and can grow up to 10 meters in a few years.
4. Solanum jasminoides (Potato Vine): This vigorous plant has purple-white flowers will grow 3-5 metres per year in ideal growing conditions.

You can find more climbers using our Plant Finder Tool. Simply turn on the different filters for the plant type (climbers in this instance), your location, and any other characteristics you are wanting. This tool will return options based on your selections.