If you want to cover a fence or wall then the most attractive and inexpensive solution is to plant a few climbers. Climbers trained on walls or fences have two major beneficial effects, firstly to cover an otherwise plain or unsightly area and secondly to soften and give life to an inanimate surface. They give you foliage during most or all of the year with flowers at specific times to give you added interest.

Climbers reach greater heights by some means of support like tendrils, curling leafstalks, adventitious roots or by twining. Some shrubs and roses are classed as climbers when they are trained up and tied in to artificial supports.

The site and the function of the climber will determine the type you can grow. Some climbers such as roses and clematis can be trained to grow through trees and other shrubs to give contrast in flower color or to extend a flowing season by flowering when the tree has finished.

Popular climbers include Rose; Jasmine; Honeysuckle; Boston ivy.