Climbing Plants

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    clematis vine plants

    Climbers can scale fences, walls, rocks and even other plants in an effort to grow to full height. Gardeners who find climbers unwelcome in their yards are surprised to see how sinewy they are, how rapidly they develop and how tough it is to pull them out. But you can only appreciate these plants’ true tenacity by seeing them in action. Watch Morning Glory’s nubile green vines twine around the slenderest supports. See ivy try to sink its adventurous roots into anything, including the siding on a house. Observe climbing roses use their tendrils, leaves and thorns to tighten a grip around a trellis or other structure.

    Climbing Plant Uses
    The persistence of climbing plants is one of the reasons savvy gardeners love them and frequently use them to decorate their gardens. Climbing plants can camouflage garden sheds, walls or chain link fencing while softening the appearance of a garden. Since the plants grow quickly, climbers can be used as ground covering to hide bare spots or to cover hard-to-mow areas. Using trellises, bamboo tripods or other supports, some gardeners create beautiful screens with climbing plants to block unsightly views and create privacy. Others plant ivy around the house to age the appearance of their homes. Gardeners may even plant climbers on a southern wall of their home to keep the house cooler during the summer. ...
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