Add Quick Color with Annual Climbers

When we look at our homes from the outside, we see brick and concrete, siding and fencing. But look closer at most homes, even those with little or no yard, and you’ll find plantings of some sort, whether pots on a terrace, a balcony with hanging plants, or window boxes, full of color. We may be limited in the space we have for gardening, but not in our desire to garden. Our desire to somehow connect with nature in all its glory is clear. And since many climbing plants do well in containers, they are well suited to balconies and decks. Drainage holes and trays to prevent damage to the surface beneath are necessary. Also be sure your container doesn’t become too heavy for a deck or patio to support.

Don’t be limited to what grows in the ground. We may have limited horizontal space in the form of yards and garden space, but we all have some sort of vertical space that can be filled with flowers of all colors. And these vertical plantings can be used to cover concrete walls, building facades, and fences. Annual climbers add a quick dash of color. Annuals allow you to change colors every year, and add variety to your garden, whatever its size and location. You can even grow cucumbers on a trellis in a pot to add to your vegetable garden bounty. Most annuals can be started from seed, or buy young plants from garden centers or nurseries.

Consider location, sun requirements and growing habits when selecting plants for climbing. Provide a location where they will receive the sun or shade required, use the correct growing medium, water as needed (remember, potted plants dry out faster than those in the ground), and enjoy the beautiful display in a short period of time!

There are a few different techniques climbers use to grab onto their supports. Knowing this will help you choose the correct support for your plants. Leave enough room behind the support for the plants to wrap.

*Keep these toxic plants away from children and pets.

Black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata) has heart-shaped, dark green leaves and grows up to 7 feet tall. It produces 2” funnel-shaped, yellow orange single flowers in midsummer to mid-fall. It requires soil rich in nutrients, full south-facing sun and protection from the wind. Plant it in a large container in loose growing medium. Avoid overwatering. Use twine or a stick and tie the young shoots to get them started. Pinch out tips to encourage branching. Fertilize every two weeks. Space plants 24-30 inches apart.

Morning Glory (Ipomoea – varieties) has broad, heart-shaped leaves and grows up to 17 feet tall. It produces 4” funnel-shaped flowers, in many colors depending on variety, from midsummer to early fall. It requires nutrient rich soil, full south or west-facing sun and protection from the wind. Plant it in a large container in loose garden soil and protect from the wind. May require watering twice a day in summer. Fertilize weekly. Spray with pyrethrum to prevent red spider mites. Space plants 8-10 inches apart.

Scarlet Runner Bean (Phasaeolus coccineus) has soft, feathered, three-lobed leaves and grows up to 13 feet tall. It produces delicate red flowers from early summer to mid-fall and green bean pods mid-summer to late fall. Caution: the raw beans are toxic, but can be cooked in soups or as a vegetable. It requires nutrient rich soil, south or west facing sun and tolerates some shade. Plant in a large container with compost. Use wire or twine to assist climbing. May require watering twice a day in summer. Fertilize every six to eight weeks. Space plants 10-12 inches apart.

Convulvulus (Convolvulus sepium) has arrow-shaped leaves that wind to the left and close at night and in bad weather. It grows 3-10 feet tall, producing a variety of colors of goblet shaped flowers from late spring to early fall. Provide a sunny to part shade east or west facing location. It requires nutrient-rich to loamy soil. Fertilize every four to six weeks, keep moist, and provide a stick or twine frame for support. Space plants 24-32 inches apart.

Cathedral Bells (Cobaea scandens) have feathered, reddish leaves when young and grow up to 13 feet tall. It produces bell-shaped flowers from midsummer to first frost, which appear first as pale green then open to violet. Other color varieties exist. It requires full to part sun in a south or west facing location. Fertilize every two to three weeks, pot in rich soil, and do not let it dry out. Provide a wire, twine or stick for support. Pinch tips to encourage branching and flowers. Space plants 24-32 inches apart.

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum) has large, round leaves and grows 4 to 8 feet tall. It produces flowers in shades of yellow, orange and red, depending on variety, throughout the summer. Flowers and leaves are edible. It requires full to part sun in a south or west facing location. Provide adequate water and fertilize every six to eight weeks. Provide a grid or wire fence for support. Spray with a tansy brew for aphids. Space plants 40 inches apart.

Ornamental Gourd (cucurbita pepo) is a fast grower, with 4” – 8” leaves and grows up to 27 feet tall. Makes a great cover for compost piles or other unsightly areas. It blooms midsummer to late fall, producing funnel shaped yellow flowers. This plant attracts bees, so keep away from playing and sitting areas. Fruit can be kept for indoor fall decorations. Gourds need full south or west facing sun. Fertilize weekly. For fruit production, provide ample water and don’t let it dry out. Space plants about 7 feet apart.

Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) has feathery leaves that end in tendrils. It produces delicate, strongly scented flowers in many colors, depending on the variety, throughout the summer and into fall, when flower production slows. Provide a sunny, south facing location with shelter from direct sun. Do not allow to dry out and cover soil with mulch to keep moist. Fertilize once to twice weekly. Twine or chicken wire provide support needed to climb, as this plant has thin tendrils that need to grab onto support. Remove wilted flowers to encourage continuous flowering. Space plants 6 inches apart.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) has large, rough, hairy leaves and grows to 13 feet tall quickly. In early summer, it produces yellow flowers which draw bees for pollination, as plant has both male and female flowers. Produces edible cucumbers for salad or pickling. Provide full sun with protection from wind in a south facing location. Use nutrient-rich soil and compost mix, keep evenly watered, and fertilize every three weeks. Requires a frame or twine stretched taut for support. Space plants 3 feet apart.