There’s something undeniably whimsical about a home or garden wrapped in climbing plants. From fragrant honeysuckle to tumbling wisteria, wall climbers soften brickwork, bring wildlife into the garden and add the sort of timeless charm many of us dream of.
But while some deserve pride of place, others need a little more care. Left unchecked, certain species can creep into places they shouldn’t – though experts stress it’s usually how they’re grown, rather than the plants themselves.
"Climbing plants are often treated as a single category, but they range from genuinely dangerous to some of the best things you can do for wildlife. It's worth knowing which is which before you plant anything," comments Didrik Dimmen, gardening expert and co-founder of indoor smart garden company Auk.
Some of the prettiest climbers need the most care
"I think some of the most beautiful cottage garden climbers can also be the ones that cause the biggest headaches if they’re planted in the wrong place," says Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys.
Wisteria is a good example. "Wisteria is another plant that I absolutely love, but mature plants become incredibly heavy. Before planting, it’s worth making sure you have strong supports in place and enough room for it to grow."
Elliot Anderson-Evans, co-founder of Elliot & Hill, sees similar concerns when selling period homes. "Virginia creeper and wisteria are the two I am asked about most. Virginia creeper can work its way under roof tiles and into guttering. Wisteria trained away from walls and on a proper frame is generally fine, but wisteria allowed to grow into mortar joints on older brickwork is a genuine structural concern that will come up at survey stage."
There’s another consideration if you have children or pets. Michael Wheat, founder of Ponds by Michael Wheat, says: "Wisteria looks stunning trained over a cottage porch, but every part of the plant, especially the seed pods, is toxic if eaten. Not a reason to avoid it, just to be aware of where you plant it."
Ivy isn’t the villain it’s made out to be
Despite its reputation, ivy isn’t always the problem many homeowners think it is.
Luke explains: "English ivy is a great example. I always recommend keeping it where possible because it’s fantastic for wildlife. However, if ivy is allowed to grow unchecked, it can block gutters, work its way behind fascias and place extra weight on older fences and structures. My advice is to enjoy it, but keep it regularly pruned and away from any areas where it could cause damage."
Elliot agrees, saying: "Ivy is the one that causes the most disputes. The honest answer is that well-maintained ivy on sound masonry is relatively benign and can actually protect the wall beneath it from weathering. Neglected ivy pulling at loose mortar on a Victorian terrace is a different matter entirely."
Michael shares the same view: "Common ivy has a bad reputation for damaging brickwork, but on a sound wall with good pointing it does little harm and is one of the best plants for wildlife on this list. The issue is usually letting it get into guttering or under roof tiles rather than the plant itself."
The climbers experts would happily recommend
If you’re hoping to achieve the cottage garden look without the worry, there are plenty of expert-approved options.
"A rambling or climbing rose can be one of the best things you plant for wildlife, provided you pick the right variety. Single-flowered roses are far more useful to bees than the tightly packed double blooms, since all that extra petal makes the nectar harder to reach," says Didrik.
He adds: "The dense, thorny growth earns its keep too, Rambling Rector is a variety I'd point people towards specifically, it's known for being particularly good for wildlife on top of being a beautiful, vigorous climber."
"The climbing plants that never cause problems in a house sale are those grown on dedicated structures, a pergola, trellis or frame away from the main building," Elliot explains. "Roses, clematis and honeysuckle add enormous charm, attract butterflies and pollinators, and no surveyor will raise an eyebrow."
Luke is particularly fond of honeysuckle. "For people who want a wildlife-friendly garden, climbing honeysuckle is one of my favourites. Not only does it add colour and fragrance, but it’s brilliant for attracting bees, butterflies and moths. It’s one of those plants that works hard for both gardeners and wildlife."
Michael recommends honeysuckle as one of the best plants for moths, while clematis is excellent for bees.
For Luke, it’s also worth thinking beyond the summer display. "One tip I often share is to look at climbing plants season by season rather than choosing them purely for their summer display. That’s often the difference between a garden that wildlife visits occasionally and one that supports it year-round."
Whether you favour roses scrambling over a pergola, honeysuckle winding through an arch or a carefully trained wisteria framing the front door, the experts agree that climbing plants don’t need to be feared. With the right support, regular pruning and a little forward planning, they can remain one of the most beautiful features of a garden.
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