Jul 17, 2011 4 min read

While many gardeners use this simple technique, vertical gardening is especially ideal for those with limited space. Not only does vertical gardening allow you to grow many things in a small “footprint,” if you look around your yard, there may be several creative ways you can grow vertically without expending much effort. Do you have a porch? Consider planting climbing plants to creep up and decorate the railing. Use vines to provide shade from the sun by training them over an arbor. Let vines frame a doorway or grow along your fence.

There are many types of climbing plants-annuals and perennials, herbaceous and woody, ornamental and edible-so, there are a variety of plants to choose from for your vertical application. But it’s also important to remember that different plants climb in different ways.

There are three ways that vines and climbing plants typically support themselves as they reach for the sky: 1.) they use small root-like holdfasts or rootlets that develop along the stem; 2.) they use tendrils; or 3.) they climb by twining themselves around a physical support. Plants that climb with rootlets, such as English ivy (Hedera helix) and Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), can climb right up brick, stone or wood walls; though growing them on supports in front of the structure may be advised to prevent damage to the wall. Plants that use tendrils or wind themselves around their supports can climb arbors, trellises, poles, netting and strings; with some guidance every now and again.

Do you want a perennial climber? Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), with its bright orange, scarlet or yellow flowers, and honeysuckle (Lonicera) are easy to grow. Both attract hummingbirds and can grow to 30 feet. Clematis and passionflower (Passiflora caerulea) sport beautiful flowers and can get to 20 feet in height. Wisteria is often chosen for its fragrant, lavender, pink or white flowers and American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) for its bright yellow flowers and orange fruit in the fall. For a tasty treat, consider planting grapes (Vitis ssp.). Climbing roses are good for vertical gardening; however, because they don’t grow like vines, they will need a little help until they are established. All of these climbers should provide many years of beauty, but they also will need some maintenance (like pruning) to keep them healthy and attractive.

Are annuals more to your liking? Thomas Jefferson grew hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab) on arbors at Monticello. Hyacinth bean needs full sun, but it is a fast climber, growing 10 to 30 feet. It will reward you with clusters of purple or white pea-like flowers, followed by ornamental burgundy-colored pods. Morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea) bloom in a variety of colors, opening in the morning and often closing in the afternoon. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba), a morning glory relative, has large fragrant flowers and can grow up to 40 feet! Black-eyed Susan vines (Thunbergia alata) only grow 3 to 6 feet in height, but these dainty, funnel-shaped flowers are popular because of their perky white to yellow to orange color. Black-eyed Susan vines do not like intense heat, so they will grow well where there is partial shade.

And don’t forget vining vegetables for your vertical garden. Cucumbers, indeterminate varieties of tomato, melons that produce small fruit (because of support issues), and pole beans are obvious choices. Some vegetables, such as scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) are beautiful as well as tasty. A scarlet runner bean’s flame red blossoms are edible, as are its pods, which can be harvested as snap beans when they are 2 to 3 inches long or as green shell beans when they are a little older.

Susan Brimo-Cox gardens, observes nature and writes in Ohiopyle, Pa. Readers can send questions or comments to her at naturesgarden@brimo-cox.com.

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