10 Stunning Evergreen Climbers for Year-Round Greenery in Your Yard

Who wants to look at bare walls or empty fences? No one, really. That's why incorporating some of the best evergreen climbers is a fantastic idea if you want to maintain visual interest even during the coldest months.

Utilizing vertical surfaces in your garden can enhance its boundaries and create a sense of privacy. This is especially beneficial in urban areas where space is often limited. While deciduous plants like jasmines and clematis are beautiful in the summer, adding evergreen climbers is essential for year-round beauty.

If you're eager to cultivate some of the best climbing plants this season, I've compiled a guide featuring expert-approved selections that provide year-round appeal, including some lesser-known varieties.

10 Excellent Evergreen Climbers

I have always had a fondness for climbing plants. Wherever I garden, I find that growing vertically maximizes the available space. Even on balconies, using supports like trellises can help expand your growing area.

Below is a summary table showcasing the top evergreen climbers at a glance. You can read on for detailed information and growing tips for each of the ten easiest climbers that thrive as evergreen options, perfect for vertical gardening.

1. Exceptional Evergreen Climbers for Shade

Often regarded as one of the top choices for shaded areas, ivy is the ultimate climber for providing evergreen cover. This vigorous plant can thrive in almost any condition from US hardiness zone 4 and up. However, it can be quite vigorous with invasive tendencies, so regular pruning is essential.

Consider this English ivy from Nature Hills for a fast-growing evergreen solution.

'Prune evergreen ivy hard once a year during late winter or early spring before the nesting season,' advises Jen McDonald, a garden expert and co-founder of Garden Girls. 'Many wildlife species, including birds and bees, rely on ivy for shelter, so it's best to wait until then to trim.'

One variety to consider is Hedera colchica 'Sulphur Heart', which can be used to cover walls or as ground cover. This variegated type adds light reflection in the shade and is effective when growing against walls or trees.

Jen McDonald is a garden expert and co-founder of Garden Girls, LLC, based in Houston, TX. With 14 raised garden beds and 400 square feet of gardening area, Jen grows a variety of plants from cut flowers to peanuts and everything in between.

2. Top Evergreen Climber for Pots

If you're working with limited space, consider growing evergreen clematis. This remarkable vine thrives in pots or garden beds and deserves a place in any yard.

Known as Clematis armandii, this variety can easily flourish in zones 6 to 9, preferring sunny or partially shaded spots.

Although it takes some time to establish, this vine can eventually reach lengths of up to 20 feet. Regular pruning will help keep it compact and growing in the desired direction.

3. Best Evergreen Climber for Scent

Star jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides, is among the finest flowering climbers.

Star jasmine is known for its rapid growth, averaging about 12 to 24 inches annually, says Mike Murphy, a plant expert and owner of You Had Me At Gardening.

'Regular trimming is essential to keep this vigorous evergreen climber manageable,' Mike notes.

The neat, dark-green foliage can be shaped in various ways, such as on pergolas or hazel domes.

During summer, its intoxicating fragrance is hard to beat. Grow star jasmine in a sheltered area from US hardiness zone 8 and above.

Mike is the owner of You Had Me At Gardening. Having grown up gardening with family, he enjoys tending to his backyard orchard filled with dwarf fruit trees, raspberry and blackberry patches, and raised garden boxes. He also loves sprouting new seeds each spring.

4. Best Evergreen Climber for Trellis

The fast-growing chocolate vine is one of the best climbers for pots with trellis support, producing numerous attractive dark maroon, chocolate-scented flowers in summer.

Thriving in zones 5 and above, the chocolate vine, or Akebia quinata, retains much of its foliage in milder areas during winter, although some leaf drop may occur in colder zones 5 and 6.

For optimal results, plant it in full sun or partial shade, and provide shelter in colder regions.

Live chocolate vines are available from Amazon. Be aware, however, that in some regions, this species is considered invasive, so do your research before adding it to your garden.

5. Best Evergreen Climber for Flowers

If you seek one of the best evergreen climbers for blooms and fragrance, consider Lonicera implexa, commonly known as the evergreen honeysuckle.

This honeysuckle variety boasts large, dense, glossy leaves and produces spring flowers that emit scents of melon and jasmine, making it perfect for a sensory garden.

Plant in part-shade or sheltered sun, thriving in US hardiness zone 8 and above.

6. Best Evergreen Climber for Summer and Fall Color

The Chilean bellflower, or Lapageria rosea, showcases stunning, large, waxy pink-red flowers from late summer to fall.

This plant flourishes in equatorial regions such as US hardiness zones 9 and 10, so in colder climates, it should be grown in a conservatory.

Provide it with a structure to climb, like an obelisk available from Walmart, and grow it in moist, well-drained acid-to-neutral soil in a sheltered spot with partial shade.

7. Best Evergreen Climber for Filling Walls

Try the English ivy variety Hedera helix 'Buttercup', which will bring lush greenery to your garden, even in the bleakest winter months. This type features a unique lemon-lime hue, making it stand out among evergreens.

Moreover, this variety is slower-growing and less vigorous than others in the H. helix family, which should be avoided in the Midwest due to its invasive nature.

Thriving in US zones 4 to 9, this ivy flourishes in well-drained neutral to alkaline soil.

8. Best Evergreen Climber for Pollinators

Pileostegia viburnoides is a lush, self-clinging climbing hydrangea that thrives in shadier gardens. Its tiny ivory flowers bloom in clusters from August above long, glossy green leaves.

While it may take a few years to flower, the wait is worthwhile. Growing well in US hardiness zone 8 and above, its nectar-rich flowers will attract numerous insects, making it an excellent addition to your wildlife garden.

However, be cautious with its placement near seating areas, unless you enjoy the company of buzzing insects while dining.

9. Best Evergreen Climber for Winter Color

Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens 'Freckles' is one of the most surprising evergreen clematis varieties. Its flowers bloom from November to February, showcasing heavily speckled maroon petals that provide nourishment for bees.

This plant can grow almost anywhere in the garden, including on fences and freestanding trellises.

Being more tender than many clematis types, 'Freckles' prefers a sheltered south or west-facing wall, in moist, well-drained neutral to alkaline soil, thriving best in US hardiness zone 7 and above.

10. Best Evergreen Climber for Privacy

The Chilean potato vine, Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin', is a climbing shrub that produces fragrant blue-purple flowers during summer and early fall, followed by inedible yellow fruit.

Although it belongs to the potato family, it's one of the most beautiful evergreen plants. However, be cautious, as all parts of the plant are toxic.

This vine prefers moist, well-drained neutral to alkaline soil and ample sunlight; it can be tied to a trellis or wire framework. It's evergreen in warmer zones, but only hardy to US zone 9.

A favorite variety is the striking white potato vine, or Solanum laxum 'Album', which produces an abundance of starry pale blooms each year.

FAQs

What is a fast-growing evergreen climber you recommend?

Star jasmine is a rapid-growing evergreen climber that will thrive on trellises, pergolas, and arches. While it does require some tying and pruning to maintain its shape, it keeps its glossy green leaves throughout the year and rewards you with star-shaped, aromatic flowers each spring.

No matter which climbers you choose to cultivate, remember to keep them well-watered during their first year as they settle into your garden. Most varieties will eventually become drought-resistant, especially ivies and honeysuckles, but monitoring them during the initial year is crucial for successful growth.

For more ideas, explore our guide to winter climbing plants and enrich your yard with even more evergreen selections.

Shop for Planting Accessories

Okatsune Pruners

Featuring attractive red and white handles, these Okatsune pruners are perfect for trimming vines and climbers, keeping your plants tidy.

Pink Gardening Gloves

These pink gardening gloves will keep your hands protected while pruning your evergreen climbers this season.

Green Plant Support Twist Ties

These handy green plant support twist ties are ideal for training your vines to grow in the right direction.