6 climbing plants that flower all summer

Ipomoeas, beautiful brightly coloured trumpets

The ipomoeas charm us with their magnificent trumpets of bright colours that follow one another throughout the summer almost without interruption. Very floriferous, they produce solitary flowers or those gathered in a cut flower arrangement from June until the first frosts, adding a touch of exoticism to the garden. There is a wide variety of colours. The Ipomoea tricolor ‘Flying Saucer’ offers, for example, white trumpets striped with light blue, the Ipomoea purpurea ‘Kniola’s Black’ has deep purple flowers, and ‘Shiva’ features white corollas veined with pink.

These climbing annuals with voluble stems are easy to sow and grow, requiring almost no maintenance. Vigorous, they can quickly reach over 2 metres in height. They can be grown in open ground or in a container of at least 40 cm in diameter. Prefer a warm, sunny exposure to ensure beautiful flowering throughout the summer.

Hardy down to about -6°C, they can be perennial in regions with mild winters in the South and may even become invasive if the conditions suit them.

For further reading: “Ipomoeas: sowing, planting, cultivation and maintenance”

Pink-flowered ipomoea

Clematis, the popular queens of summer

Clematis clematis are among the most common climbing plants in gardens. We love their abundant flowering, whether single or double, bell-shaped or star-shaped, and sometimes even fragrant. Their colour palette is also rich: classic clematis in soft tones, bicolour varieties, or even bolder multicoloured cultivars.

From June to September, summer-flowering clematis will enchant gardens, terraces, and balconies. There are varieties with small profiles that do not exceed 2 metres, perfect for pot cultivation. In contrast, other more imposing clematis, reaching a height of 5 metres, will easily adorn old trees, sheds, pergolas, or arbors.

Clematis are hardy climbing plants, generally tolerating temperatures below -15°C. A bit demanding in terms of growing conditions, they prefer rich, moist soil. The flowers will thrive in the sun, while the base prefers to be in the shade.

For further reading: “Clematis: plant, prune, and maintain.”

Large-flowered clematis

Pandorea jasminoides, tropical charm bignonia

Pandorea jasminoides or false jasmine bignonia are climbing plants native to Australia, thirsty for warmth and sunshine. From May-June to September, they are adorned with a multitude of funnel-shaped flower clusters. They are enhanced by lush, glossy, bright green foliage that is evergreen, further accentuating the exotic beauty of this plant. In terms of colour, ‘Rosea’ offers a delicate pale pink highlighted with a raspberry heart, while the cultivar ‘Blanc’ produces immaculate petals. These flowers are lightly scented and delight pollinating insects.

This vigorous flowering climbing plant clings to its support using voluble stems. Fast-growing, it can reach up to 6 to 8 metres in all directions at maturity.

Easy to grow and low-maintenance, it is, however, a frost-sensitive plant that will not withstand temperatures below -4°C. However, it can easily be grown in a large pot or container stored away in winter, allowing you to enjoy its long summer flowering anywhere. Cultivation in open ground will be reserved for regions of the Basque Country or the South.

For further reading: “Bignonia: planting, pruning, propagating.”

Pandorea jasminoides

Jasminum officinale, climbing plants that perfume the garden all summer long.

The Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) never goes unnoticed, whether due to its abundant summer flowering or its powerful fragrance.

From June-July to September, it is covered in a multitude of small white stars, with a floral and heady scent. The dark green foliage can also take on golden hues, as seen in ‘Aureum’.

The imposing silhouette of this perennial liana (4 to 5 metres in height and 2 to 3 metres in spread) will easily green up arches, unsightly walls, railings, and fences, thanks to its long voluble stems.

It is the hardiest of the jasmines, capable of withstanding frosts down to nearly -10°C. Easy to grow, it thrives in ordinary soil in a sunny position. In the event of a dry and hot summer, simply ensure to water occasionally to maintain a beautiful and prolonged flowering.

For further reading: “Jasmine: planting, maintenance, pruning”

Jasminum officinale

Sollya heterophylla, climbing plants for small spaces

The Sollya heterophylla are not the most common climbing plants. However, they have many advantages. Throughout the summer, from June to September, they reveal adorable little bell-shaped flowers, resembling campanulas. They can be a soft light blue, as seen in the type species, or a deep ultramarine blue like in ‘Ultra Blue’. The foliage is a lovely glossy light green and is evergreen. After flowering, small decorative marine blue berries appear, further extending the aesthetic interest of this liana.

These climbing plants with voluble stems have a dense, bushy silhouette that barely exceeds 2 metres in height and 1 metre in spread. They are therefore well-suited for cultivation in small spaces or in pots on the terrace or balcony to brighten up the summer. This will also help protect them from winter frost, as Sollya heterophylla cannot tolerate frosts below -5°C.

Easy to grow and almost maintenance-free, they thrive in sunny or partially shaded positions, in well-drained soil that does not retain too much water. Guide them onto a support that they will quickly cover with their lush foliage.

Sollya heterophylla ‘Ultra Blue’

Solanum jasminoides, a star-like flowering for many months.

The Solanum jasminoides are climbing plants with graceful charm that flower abundantly from late spring to autumn. They are thus in bloom all summer, constantly rewarding us with a myriad of small stars. Their pastel colours generally range from blue-violet to white, highlighted by a heart of yellow stamens. The Solanum jasminoides ‘Bleu’ offers a very light mauve, while the cultivar ‘Album’ reveals immaculate white.

These fast-growing climbers reach about 5 metres in height at ripeness. They will adorn any supports available to them. Fencing, trellises, arbors, or railings will quickly become covered in foliage and flowers.

The Solanum jasminoide are easy to cultivate in sunny locations. Hardy down to -9°C on average, these varieties can be grown in pots and brought indoors to protect them from frost in regions with harsh winters.

For further reading: “Solanum: planting, pruning, cultivation.”

Solanum jasminoides ‘Bleu’ (photo Javoy Plantes)