Climbers 2011

You can use climbers to great effect if you want to attract wildlife to an urban garden. Birds covet fruit or nectar from the flowers of different climbers. Several have leaves which caterpillars enjoy. The caterpillars in turn attract more birds. Thick climbers and scramblers provide good nesting sites for birds. The screening and draping qualities of climbers make them essential features of a wild and secluded garden. Plant them close together so that they intertwine, or train them up trees. (Keep them under control if they climb your favourite trees, however.) Bring down old branches or unsightly alien trees by letting a robust climber run rampant over them.

Abrus precatorius

Lucky Bean Creeper

Soft creeper with pink flowers and decorative though toxic red and black seeds

Asparagus falcatus

Sickle-leaved Asparagus

Thorny climber, attractive leaves, scented cream flowers, berries for birds

Asparagus setaceus

Bathroom Asparagus

Beautiful fern-like climber for light shade

Behnia reticulata

Forest Smilax

Attractive delicate climber for shade; yellow berries.

Canavalia rosea

Beach Bean

Climber/trailer, sun, beautiful pink-purple flowers, coastal

Capparis tomentosa

Woolly Caper Bush

Spiny scrambler, good barrier plant, decorative fruit and flowers, birds, butterflies

Cissus quadrangularis

Cactus Vine

Interesting succulent climber, hanging baskets, fruit for birds

Combretum bracteosum

Hiccup Nut

Scrambler, sun/semi-shade, pretty orange flowers. Birds. Tree of the year

Combretum microphyllum

Flame Creeper

Vigorous creeper for sun; red flowers for birds

Diospyros simii

Climbing Star-apple

Robust climber, square stems, yellow flowers, edible fruit, birds

Jasminum angulare

Wild Jasmine

Scrambler, sun/semi, scented white starry flowers, birds

Jasminum breviflorum

Bushveld Jasmine

Scrambling creeper highly aromatic white flowers

Jasminum multipartitum

Wild Jasmine

Scrambler, sun/semi, scented white starry flowers, birds

Mondia whytei

White's Ginger

Robust climber, sun/shade. Maroon flowers. Threatened in the wild.

Pelargonium peltatum X

Ivy Geranium

Succulent trailing plant with cheerful clusters of mixed flowers

Rhoicissus tomentosa

Common Forest Grape

Attractive-leaved climber for sun; fruit attracts birds.

Sarcostemma viminale

Caustic Vine

Interesting leafless vine for dry areas

Senecio macroglossus

Variegated Natal Ivy

Attractive non-vigorous climber, sun/semi, lemon daisies.

Senecio macroglossus varieg

Variegated Natal Ivy

Attractive non-vigorous climber, sun/semi, lemon daisies.

Senecio tamoides

Canary Creeper

Attractive semi-deciduous climber with bright yellow flowers

Senecio tamoides varieg.

Variegated Canary Creeper

Attractive semi-deciduous climber with bright yellow flowers

Strophanthus speciosus

Common Poison Rope

Climber, sun/semi. Striking yellow "spider" flowers.

Thunbergia alata

Black-eyed Susan

Self-seeding creeper with profuse bright orange flowers. Butterflies.

Urera trinervis

Climbing Nettle

Attractive-leaved climber for sun/shade, clings to rough walls. Butterflies.