Climbing plants do more than disguise bare walls and tired fencing – they can also create a lush, natural screen between your garden and neighbouring properties. Evergreen climbers are particularly useful for covering gaps in fence panels and shielding overlooked outdoor spaces from view, whatever the season. Below, we’ve rounded up the best evergreen climbers for year-round greenery, structure and added privacy.
Clematis armandii
With its heavenly scent and dense evergreen foliage, Clematis armandii was a top recommendation from Chris Bonnett, plant expert and founder of online garden centre Gardening Express.
‘This fragrant clematis has long dark leaves with the sweet smelling white flowers appearing in clusters around April,’ he tells us. ‘There will sometimes be a second flowering in August. The plant will do well in full sun and tolerates partial shade. It will thrive in moist and well-drained fertile soil, rich in organic matter.’
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Evergreen honeysuckle
For something a little more vibrant, evergreen honeysuckle (Lonicera henryi) makes for an attractive addition as it doesn’t just produce glossy green foliage but also flushed red or pink flowers in the summer.
‘It’s a good choice for concealing a wall, fence or trellis,’ says Chris. ‘This honeysuckle thrives in full sun or partial shade and will do well in any soil type.’
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Ivy
A classic climber, ivy offers a low-maintenance way to disguise unsightly walls or battered fences. And it has more to offer than just green foliage – depending on the variety, it will produce blooms and berries.
‘Hedera Helix Goldheart or Evergreen Ivy is ideal for a sunny or partially shaded wall,’ recommends Chris. ‘This climber has dark green leaves with a golden yellow centre. It produces clusters of autumn flowers followed by black fruit. Ivy is a tolerant plant – it’ll adapt to most soil types and will only require spring time pruning.’
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Star jasmine
For those who value scent above all else, star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is hard to beat.
‘Star Jasmine is a fragrant climber with an abundance of perfumed white flowers and glossy evergreen foliage,’ Chris says. ‘It flowers from mid to late summer with its dark green leaves turning bronze in winter. This plant thrives in a warm, sunny spot in well-drained soil.’
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