Here’s the thing: let’s say you’ve just finished building your trellis system, and now you want to know what flowers to grow there. Well, not just typical flowers, but the best climbing flowers there are.
Honestly, that could be the most challenging part of finishing a trellis system because there are many different kinds of beautiful climbing flowers from which to choose. The ideal plant to grow on a trellis is a climbing plant and flowering vines, and each type of plant has its own beauty and characteristics.
The variety of climbing plants and flowering vines ensures that people can have different options to choose from that could fit their personality. Moreover, the best thing about it is you can pick more than one climber and combine them on your trellis. It is a matter of preference and creative thinking.
Top 10 Best Flowers To Grow On a Trellis
Since there are many different options to choose from, it would be better to narrow it down to ten of the best and most beautiful climbing flowers to grow on a trellis.
So, fear not, for these plants listed below are easy to care for and will surely fill your yard with lovely scents all summer long while attracting bees and other pollinating insects.
A quick note: these climbing plants and flowering vines grow best on small trellises. They can cover an area of 6-8 feet because they will not grow out of control, unlike any other plants.
Here are the top 10 best flowers to grow on a trellis:
1. Clematis Josephine
Clematis Josephine is one of the spectacular plants to grow on a trellis because of its attractive pink/lilac hues that will surely capture your eyes. They are enchanting to look at; you can even stare at them for a few minutes without feeling bored.
These flowering vines are perfect for containers because they do not grow into vast and rambling plants. Clematis Josephine was developed around 1998 and are not winter-friendly as they tend to lose leaves during that season. Nevertheless, they will return once the winter season has left us and warmer climates arrive.
Clematis Josephine loves soil with neutral pH and good drainage. They are heat-tolerant but only for about 6 hours maximum per day. If you plan to grow Clematis Josephine, you have to plant the crown 3 to 4 inches below the ground to stop dormant buds.
A deep-rooted plant – which means they need to be watered thoroughly so that the roots can get all the nutrients deep down the soil – Clematis Josephine is worth considering for your garden. The only caveat of this plant is it becomes very clingy once it starts to grow; otherwise, it will become weak and delicate.
Thus, supplementing them with fertilizer is an absolute must. Low-nitrogen fertilizer in spring and switch to a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer every four to six weeks.
2. Abutilon Kentish Belle
Abutilon Kentish Belle is also called Flowering Maple or Chinese Lantern. They have smaller flowers because they are members of Abutilon megapotamicum, which are known to have the most petite flowers. They are easy to grow and can withstand all-year-round temperatures, including winter.
They have eye-catching red and yellow flowers despite their small size. Sure enough, those vibrant colors can be a great decoration to witness on a trellis system. They are easy to train on the trellis by simply attaching the stems to the support.
Abutilon Kentish Belle is also known for its greediness, especially when planted directly into a large container with regular irrigation. They can withstand light frost but automatically go dormant if the temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Aside from that, it can also be planted anywhere that offers light shade or sunlight but must be protected from strong winds.
If your Abutilon Kentish Belle appears to look more yellow than usual, it is best to feed them slow-release fertilizer and irrigate regularly to recover the original vibrant-looking color.
3. Nasturtium Flame Thrower
Nasturtium Flame Thrower stands fierce and fantastic like its name. The name FlameThrower comes from its outstanding combination of colors that resembles a flame. Take a look at its flowers, and you will find yourself captivated by its flame-looking appearance.
As with the Nasturtium family, the flame thrower variety is very fragrant, unusual to its family. They have ivy-shaped leaves, which are surprisingly edible. Nasturtium Flame Thrower is covered with yellow cream, scarlet and orange petal flowers just like a flame.
If you plan to grow Nasturtium Flame Thrower, you have to plant the seeds early in spring, and like Clematis Josephine, they are deep-rooted and work better with well-drained soil.
The best thing about this plant is it does not need fertilizers unless you have poor soil. All they need is regular irrigation but do not make it to the point of oversaturation. Let the earth be like a squeezed sponge, wet but not too wet, before watering them again.
4. Thunbergia Alata Superstar
It is commonly known as Black-Eyed Susans. They have nice-looking orange blossoms capable of brightening even the gloomiest days with their vibrant colors. They are called “superstars” because of their orange color, unlike the common Black-Eyed Susans, which have yellow blossoms.
Another characteristic of Thunbergia Alata Superstar is its robust and fast-growing capability, which is common among the Thunbergia family. For that reason, the superstar, combined with its lively blossoms, is ideal for growing over and up a trellis.
To grow this, you have to plant it in rich and moist soil with exposure to full sun. It is best to plant the seeds in a glass for better effectiveness until they are grown enough to transplant. From there, they can be planted into their final growing pot near a support structure.
Please take note; this plant needs a support structure when starting to grow; hence tie the shoots and tendrils to a support structure when they are tall enough. Like other deep-rooted flowers, they need to be watered thoroughly and regularly.
5. Cobaea Scandens Cup and Saucer
You can also call this the Cup and Saucer plants. They are fast-growing and the best climber plants earning the spot for this segment. On top of that, they are easy to care for.
The term saucer comes from the shape of its flowers, and the term cup comes from the actual cup you use to drink tea. Cup and Saucer resemble Blue Ternate, which can be used as a tea due to its numerous health benefits. This plant has a combination of purple and cream colors, making it outstanding among its competitors.
Cup and Saucer plants are grown from seeds and will quickly scatter over your trellis for the entire summer duration. They also produce highly fragrant flowers. Aside from that, they are easy to grow and care for, which makes this plant a must for most gardeners.
If you plan to grow Cup and Saucer plants, you have to plant the seeds in separate pots to prevent tangling. After that, cover them with perlite or compost. Transfer them to a pot outside with exposure to direct sunlight near the trellis.
Cup and Saucer plants do not need fertilizers as they can work well with organic elements like compost. Putting fertilizers in them will just encourage vine growth instead of flowers. Water regularly, especially during dry seasons.
6. Ipomoea Heavenly Blue
It is commonly known as Morning Glory because seeing them feels like heaven that glorifies your morning. They are fast-growing with large vines, and the leaves are shaped like a heart. The flowers are shaped like trumpets that radiate hues of blue on the side with a cream-like color in the middle.
They are also grown from seeds, and they multiply fast, which makes them ideal for small trellises. The Morning Glory flowers open in the morning, which is why it is called “morning glory” and die in the evening. But they are quickly replaced by other flowers growing on the plant.
Growing this plant is easy; you have to plant them in moist and well-drained soil placed near a sunny wall to protect them from the wind while exposing them to sunlight. Do not grow seeds during the winter season. Plant the seeds about 10 centimeters apart.
Like other plants, Morning Glory does not need fertilizers because it only promotes vines rather than flowers. They need to be fertilized, however, to prevent them from becoming nutrient deficient. If not, watering them regularly and keeping even soil moisture might do the work.
7. Sweet Peas Cupani
This plant stands to its name because Sweat Peas Cupani emits a beautiful and lovely scent that makes you fall in love with this plant. The smell of the plant goes perfectly with its striking hues of violet and purple combined. The scent could last throughout the summer, leaving your yard fresh all summertime.
The history of this Sweet Peas Cupani is that this variety is the original sweet pea cultivar. They are good cutting for the house because of their wonderful scent. This goes without saying that summer is not complete without the lovely scent of Sweet Peas Cupani.
To grow this, you need to plant them in early spring in well-drained soil and place the container where the plant can get full sunlight. They are good climbers, which makes them an ideal flower to grow on a trellis.
Sweet Peas Cupani needs a balanced liquid fertilizer along with aged manure or compost before sowing. The fertilizer should be applied every two weeks during the growing season. Water carefully, but do not over irrigate.
8. Petunias Tidal Wave
Petunias Tidal Wave is the type of plant you don’t want to miss. They are pretty versatile, depending on how you train them to grow. They could grow either bush-like or on a trellis.
The flowers of Petunias Tidal Wave are a mixture of beautiful pink, lovely purple, and elegant white, which completely blooms during summer, covering the plants. If planted on a trellis, the Petunias Tidal Wave will dominate that spot with its climbing powers and stunning appearance.
If you plan to grow these plants, you have to plant them in moist soil with a well-drainage system. From there, place them under the full sun for five hours maximum per day. After that, feed them with an all-purpose fertilizer immediately.
Unlike other flowers, Petunias Tidal Wave is a heavy feeder. They need the support of fertilizers every two weeks. Water them regularly but do not over irrigate.
9. Decorative Gourds
A surprising entry is the decorative gourds. No one would think of growing them on a trellis because they are not flowers, but for some reason, people often turn away from tradition and make a breakthrough. They have included decorative gourds to grow on a trellis, and they make a stunning sight on the trellis!
It is expected that gourds will grow on a trellis because of their vines, and they snowball. They are decorative gourds on your trellis and substitute flowers with their unique fruits of different sizes and shapes.
If you want to try this out, buy a mixed packet of seeds to make your waiting game exciting. Please place them in full sun and plant them in well-drained soil. After that, feed them with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer per month and water regularly, especially during the dry seasons.
10. Tropaeolum Peregrinum Canary Creeper
This type of plant has bright flowers to light up the day. It has small flowers playing the prettiest hues of yellow and purple. They are fast-growing and capable of covering the whole trellis, making it an ideal cimbing plant to grow.
Canary Creeper works well with other types of plants. Its bright colors complement other flowers of different colors. This makes the plant versatile as it can stand alone by itself and also with other plants without sacrificing even the tiniest amount of beauty.
If you plan to grow these plants, you have to plant them in mid-spring under full sun. The best thing about these plants is that they can grow even in poor soil and prefer acidic soil with a proper drainage system. Add light fertilizers only, and stop it if leaves begin to look yellow as this can be a sign of fewer blooms.
Conclusion
There you have it! It could be a difficult decision to make given that all plants are beautiful in themselves, but that shows that there are no wrong decisions among all the many wonderful climbing plants available – and especially the ten plants we‘ve discussed above.
We wish you happy and healthy climbers to enhance your garden and brighten your life!
Jenny Marie
Tribal Writer
Edited by
Patricia Godwin
