Climbing Plants for Privacy

Climbing plants are ideal for creating a natural privacy screen. The long shoots of these evergreen plants are a beautiful way to protect you from prying eyes all year round and, if you choose the right climbing plants, they can climb impressive heights, whilst taking up little space on the ground. However, not all plants are suitable. Read on to discover which plants work best as privacy screens.

Climbing aids

In order for climbing plants to provide optimal privacy protection, they need climbing aids. Fortunately, there are a variety of options these days, including mobile planters with built-in trellises, allowing the privacy screen to be moved as and when you wish. Most trellises are made of wood, but, with rope systems also an option, your personal requirements can easily be satisfied.

The best climbing plants for natural privacy protection

Not all climbing plants are equally suitable as privacy screens, but here is a shortlist of those specimens that you can't go wrong with:

• Climbing roses
  Climbing roses prefer to hook onto horizontal climbing aids and can grow outwards over time. Choosing a horizontal or close-meshed climbing aid allows them to grow undisturbed, though, after a few years, the plant might protrude up to a metre above or around the climbing aid. If there is not much space available, the climbing roses should be cut back regularly or, alternatively, you could choose another climbing plant.
• Crawlers
  Examples of these plants include grapevines and clematis. They form an excellent privacy screen if you offer them a grid-shaped construction (made of wood or metal) to grasp onto. Offset the climbing aid from the wall so that they have enough space, and allow them to climb fences with horizontal struts.
• Looping climbing plants
  This type of climbing plant includes, for example, wisteria, honeysuckle and morning glory. They also pull themselves up vertical climbing aids, so ensure the climbing aids are stable. For example, with wisteria only use with pergola posts or strong steel cables. Thin wires or cords are sufficient for morning glory and other annual twining vines.
• Trumpet flower
  This plant blooms in yellow, orange and red from June to September. It is important to have a south-facing location that is as warm as possible and sheltered from the wind. It reaches a height of up to three meters and, thanks to its winding growth, can climb not only trellises but also pergolas or arbors.

Of course, there are many other climbing plants that are well suited for use as privacy screens. A classic example that most people will think of when they hear the word climbing plant is ivy. However, is important to personalise your choice. Choose a variety that fits with your garden and, most importantly, choose something you will love to look at!