6 Climbing Plants for Australian Gardens

Climbing plants can be a beautiful addition to a garden or balcony wall. Not only can they add another level and more colour and greenery to your space, but they can also help to cover up less-attractive features (such as an old wall or metal fence). Do you have a wall that could do with a little something extra? Why not consider training a climbing plant to grow across it?

There are many different types of climber plants that are suitable for Australian gardens. From Aussie natives to exotic varieties, there are climbers available to fit all tastes and style requirements. 

Today, we take a look at six climbing plants for Australian gardens, the features of each climber, plus a little bit about where to grow them. Read on to find out more about these wonderful plants! 

Orange Trumpet Vine

This creeper has a great name, and one look at the flowers shows just how it got it. The orange trumpet vine has gorgeous orange flowers that resemble trumpets and grow in clusters. Originally from South America, this vine grows well in Australia. Its weirdly wonderful flowers make their appearance in winter, making this plant great for those looking to add a pop of colour to their garden for the colder months. This plant (also called the pyrostegia venusta) is a quick grower, and can go a little wild if left unchecked. Orange trumpet vines are hardy plants that like the sunshine, but make sure to keep them protected from the frost, as they don’t enjoy the cold. Sources seem to differ as to whether or not these are toxic plants, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid consumption!

Passionfruit

Want a climbing plant that produces fruit you and your loved ones can enjoy? The humble passionfruit can look wonderful climbing up lattice, forming a stunning vine aesthetic for your fence or wall. If you’re looking for a fast-growing climbing plant in Australia, then passionfruit plants are a pretty good choice. Your passionfruit plant should start producing fruit about six to eight months after it has been planted. These plants love the sun but don’t feel the same way about the frost, so make sure to position them accordingly. While passionfruit can be wonderful for humans, the fruits shouldn’t be consumed by pets. 

Bougainvillea 

Love the colour pink? Looking for a breathtaking plant that really makes a statement? Look no further than the bougainvillea! This wonderful tree can either be grown in a pot as a standing plant, or trained to grow up a wall or archway. Although commonly found in pink, these plants can also come with orange, red, white, gold, or purple colours. In some areas, the flowers of these plants appear during the summer, while those living in more tropical climates can be lucky enough to experience their flowering all throughout the year! Bougainvillea plants are said to be mildly toxic to pets if consumed. Like many warm-climate creepers, these plants love full-sun positioning, but don’t cope too well with the frost. Keep in mind that while stunning, bougainvillea plants have thorns, so be sure not to get pricked when handling them!

Wisteria

Do you dream of stunning purple flowers cascading from a garden archway? Check out the gorgeous wisteria plant! These trees can be trained to climb up walls, pillars, archways and lattice to create a breathtaking pop of purple. With delicate light purple flowers that bloom during the spring, the wisteria is perfect for those after a country garden aesthetic, or a dainty climbing addition to a garden. There are several different varieties of wisteria available for Australian gardens, including Chinese wisteria (which likes a full sun position), and Silky wisteria (which can be grown in either partial shade or full sun positions). Sadly, wisteria is poisonous to humans and pets if ingested, something worth thinking about if you often have pets or kids about. 

False Sarsaparilla

Those looking for Australian native climbing plants might be interested in taking a look at the hardenbergia violacea (or false sarsaparilla, as it’s more commonly called). These plants produce wonderful purple or pink flowers that tend to make their appearance towards the end of winter. This plant goes by several names, and you may have heard it referred to as native lilac, happy wanderer, or purple coral pea. Some parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested. The false sarsaparilla likes to grow in spots of partial or full sun, so make sure to position them accordingly. 

Star Jasmine

After a pet-friendly creeper? Introducing the star jasmine. This plant is classed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, which is great news for flower-loving pet owners! Star jasmine plants can be grown as a standalone plant, or trained to cover a wall or lattice, making them wonderfully versatile. The plant has dainty white flowers that have a gorgeous scent and generally come in around spring. These climbers are pretty hardy and can grow in a variety of conditions and with different amounts of sunlight. If you’re after the best bloom from these plants, it’s recommended that you place them in a position that receives full sun. 

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about some of the different climbing plants that can be grown in Aussie gardens! With so many wonderful options out there, you’re sure to find a climber that suits your coverage needs and contributes to the aesthetic of your garden or outdoor space.