These are the best shade-loving climbing perennials that you can grow directly in the garden or pots. If you have a garden with lots of shade, you don’t have to worry that your options for climbing plants are limited.
Climbing perennials That Thrive In The Shade
Many beautiful perennial climbers thrive in shady conditions, adding vertical interest, lush greenery, and even fragrant flowers to your garden.
These shade-loving climbing perennials are perfect for covering fences, walls, trellises, and even tree trunks, providing texture, privacy, and seasonal color.
In this post, I’ll explore the ten best perennial climbers that thrive in shady conditions, along with tips on how to grow them successfully.
Understanding Shade-Loving Climbing Perennials
Before diving into the top ten choices, it’s important to understand what qualifies as a shade-loving climbing perennial.
A perennial plant returns year after year, reducing the need for replanting. Many climbers prefer full sun, but some species adapt well to shade.
Shade levels vary, including:
- Partial shade – Receives a few hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Dappled shade – Sunlight filters through tree canopies.
- Full shade – Minimal direct sunlight, often under dense foliage or buildings.
To ensure success with shade-loving climbers, provide rich, well-draining soil, adequate moisture, and a sturdy support structure such as trellises, arbors, or fences.
Top 10 Shade-Loving Climbing Perennials
Japanese Climbing Hydrangea
Similar to climbing hydrangea but with larger, showier blooms, this vine is slow-growing but highly resilient in shade.
It provides stunning white flowers in summer and adds elegance to shady spaces. It is ideal for north-facing walls and shaded pergolas.
Japanese Climbing Hydrangea Growing Tips:
- Needs rich, well-drained soil.
- Prefers moisture-retaining mulch and protection from strong winds.
- Provide a sturdy support structure to encourage upward growth.
Boston Ivy
Boston Ivy is a self-clinging climber known for its stunning red and orange autumn foliage. It thrives in partial shade, making it a great choice for covering walls and fences.
Unlike English Ivy, Boston Ivy is less invasive and offers an excellent way to create a green curtain effect on structures.
Boston Ivy Growing Tips:
- Tolerates a variety of soil conditions.
- Minimal maintenance is required.
- Prune in early spring to control size.
Climbing Hydrangea
One of the most stunning shade-loving climbers, climbing hydrangea thrives in partial to full shade. This deciduous vine produces large clusters of white flowers in late spring and summer, adding elegance to walls, fences, and tree trunks.
Its aerial rootlets help it cling to surfaces without additional support. Although slow to establish, it becomes a vigorous grower over time.
Climbing Hydrangea Growing Tips:
- Prefers moist, well-draining soil.
- Requires occasional pruning to manage growth.
- Benefits from mulching to retain moisture.
Clematis (Clematis alpina, Clematis montana)
Several varieties of Clematis thrive in shade, particularly Clematis alpina and Clematis montana.
These climbers produce delicate, bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, pink, or white, adding beauty to pergolas, trellises, and fences.
While most clematis varieties prefer the sun, these species do well in dappled shade. Check out this guide on how to grow and care for clematis vines.
Clematis Growing Tips:
- Plant with roots in the shade and vines reaching towards the light.
- Provide well-draining soil and regular watering.
- Prune based on flowering time to encourage new growth.
Chocolate Vine
This is a fast-growing climber. The chocolate vine produces purple, chocolate-scented flowers in spring.
It thrives in partial shade, making it ideal for pergolas, walls, and trellises. This vine is vigorous and can become invasive, so regular pruning is essential.
Chocolate Vine Growing Tips:
- Prefers moist, well-drained soil.
- Benefits from support structures for climbing.
- Trim regularly to prevent excessive spreading.
Trumpet Vine
The trumpet vine is a vigorous climber known for its tubular orange-red flowers that attract hummingbirds.
While it prefers sun, it tolerates partial shade and grows well on fences and trellises.
Trumpet Vine Growing Tips:
- Needs strong support due to its aggressive growth.
- Best grown in moderate shade with good air circulation.
- Prune after flowering to control spread.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is a fragrant, shade-tolerant climber that produces clusters of tubular flowers in summer.
The blossoms attract bees and hummingbirds, making it an excellent addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
Honeysuckle Growing Tips:
- Thrives in moist but well-drained soil.
- Can tolerate dappled to partial shade.
- Regular pruning encourages bushier growth.
Virginia Creeper
Virginia Creeper is a low-maintenance climber that tolerates full shade. It turns brilliant red in autumn, adding seasonal interest to walls and fences.
Unlike ivy, it is non-invasive and easy to manage. It can grow up to 50 feet, making it an excellent choice for covering large areas.
Virginia Creeper Growing Tips:
- Prefers moist, well-draining soil but is highly adaptable.
- They can be trained on trellises or left to grow freely.
- Prune occasionally to maintain shape and control spread.
Evergreen Climbing Hydrangea
Unlike traditional climbing hydrangeas, Pileostegia viburnoides is evergreen, providing year-round interest. It produces creamy-white flowers in summer and works well on walls and fences.
This plant is slow-growing but very long-lived, making it an excellent investment for a permanent garden fixture.
Evergreen Climbing Hydrangea Growing Tips:
- Thrives in shady, sheltered locations.
- Requires moist, fertile soil and occasional feeding.
- Patience is needed, as it may take a few years to fully establish.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
A classic evergreen climber, English Ivy thrives in full shade, covering walls and fences with lush foliage. While it requires minimal care, it can become highly invasive if not regularly maintained.
English Ivy is often used for erosion control and as a natural insulator for buildings. Check out this complete guide on growing and caring for English Ivy.
English Ivy Growing Tips:
- Prefers moist, well-draining soil.
- Regular pruning prevents overgrowth and damage to structures.
- Suitable for ground cover as well as climbing.
Final Thoughts
Shade doesn’t have to limit your gardening design possibilities! These ten shade-loving climbing perennials will bring color, fragrance, and beauty to shaded areas, making them vibrant and lush.
Whether you prefer fragrant honeysuckle, classic ivy, or elegant climbing hydrangea, there’s a perfect plant for every space.
I love experimenting with these perennials and transforming parts of my shady garden into a thriving, vertical paradise.
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