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Experts share the best shade-loving climbers to suit every garden space
A cooler, shadier garden — especially a north-facing one — is far from a lost cause. Train the right climbing plants up a house façade, wall or fence and it will instantly lift your space, with plenty of beautiful shade-loving varieties that thrive without full sun.
Climbers are an excellent way to cover walls and fences, bringing flowers, fragrance and vertical interest while supporting garden wildlife. However, choosing a shade-loving plant suited to your specific conditions is essential, saving time and effort in the long run.
The good news? Whether your space is in partial or full shade, there’s a climber that will thrive. For example, 'Climbing hydrangea is perfect for east- and north-facing walls that don't get much sun. It can tolerate full shade but flowers more prolifically in dappled shade,' explains Chris Bonnett, founder of Gardening Express.
Want more recommendations? We consulted the pros to uncover the best climbers for shady spots.
Honeysuckle is a brilliant shade-tolerant option, suggests Chris Bonnett. 'This climber can thrive in partial shade and it also fills your garden with a sweet fragrance when it's in bloom.'
With its delightful scent, trumpet-like flowers and vibrant colours (from creamy-white through to deep pink) honeysuckle is pollinator-friendly, attracting bees and butterflies. The flowers are followed by clusters of glossy red berries, which is a great food source for birds.
Often trained as a wall shrub rather than a true climber, Pyracantha Saphyr Orange (‘Cadange’) is a brilliant option recommended by the RHS for shady or partially shaded boundaries where you need evergreen coverage.
A low-maintenance choice, this tough, thorny plant produces clusters of small white flowers in spring and early summer, followed by masses of vivid orange berries into autumn, providing both colour and valuable food for birds.
A more unusual shade-tolerant climber, but another recommendation from the RHS, is Akebia trifoliata. This strong-growing plant has attractive leaves made up of three oval leaflets with softly lobed edges, often flushed bronze when young. In spring, it produces clusters of deep purple flowers, followed by pale purple fruits in warmer conditions.
This vigorous twiner copes well in full or partial shade, and rewards with fast coverage and a soft, leafy look that works well in informal planting schemes. It's a useful choice for covering north-facing walls or structures — just be sure to provide support for it to climb.
'Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris is one of the very best plants for growing on a north-facing, shady wall,' says author and gardener Sarah Raven. 'It blooms from July to August and boasts beautiful creamy white flowers, and equally lovely seedheads.'
Growing up to six metres in height, it's a great flower for natural privacy. 'Apply a fertiliser in the spring if your soil is light and sandy, however, this isn't necessary on richer soils,' Sarah advises.
And, good news, it's a pretty undemanding climber too. 'Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris doesn't require much maintenance, only light pruning to remove dead or damaged stems,' she adds.
'Trachelospermum jasminoides is a wonderful evergreen climber. It omits the most delicious perfume and is particularly hardy,' enthuses Sarah. 'This climber tolerates both full sun and partial shade but prefers well-drained soil. It grows well in a large container on a sheltered site. You should trim after flowering to keep it in its allocated space.'
Clematis montana also makes the list. 'They are excellent for shady gardens and spaces that are north-facing, as they grow so vigorously, offering a variety of colours and shapes with its masses of flowers,' Sarah explains.
Opt for the classic clematis montana var. wilsonii variety, with satin white star-shaped flowers and an incredible scent. It doesn’t require pruning and prefers moist, but well-drained soil. 'It's quick-growing and vigorous, often covered in flowers from late spring and early summer,' Sarah adds.
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