Fresh Ideas for Bringing Climbing Plants & Vines Into the Home
Are you up for knitting some green beauties through the different spaces of your garden? Start by checking these out
Shristi Nangalia
1 February 2018
Houzz India Contributor, Architect, Architectural Writer and Content Writer. Painting, craft work, pets and good food are my getaways. Cultures and colours always inspire me. Email: shristi012@gmail.com, Business profile: @decoretteindia.
Houzz India Contributor, Architect, Architectural Writer and Content Writer. Painting,... More
Besides being decorative, climber plants and wall shrubs can add textural green, soften edges, and conceal unsightly walls. They can be either left to spread naturally or ‘trained’ to form a shape or a structure. These versatile elements can elevate the design quotient, making them a great pick for small gardens and balconies. Moreover, flowering and fruit-bearing climbers can be grown as part of the kitchen garden to save some money.
Clearly, climbers are both useful and ornamental. Have a look at these beautiful places, made more beautiful with ascending greens. These spaces are sure to give you serious garden-goals!
Clearly, climbers are both useful and ornamental. Have a look at these beautiful places, made more beautiful with ascending greens. These spaces are sure to give you serious garden-goals!
1. Climbers are excellent at hiding bathroom vents, patchy walls and other unpleasant-looking surfaces. Hence, they work well on exterior facades and backyard walls. Even otherwise, climbing plants make for a great feature on any home. The white lattice here supports flowering climbers, giving the facade a soothing edge against the sturdy wall.
2. Some climbers do not need the support of a trellis or wire to climb upwards, and some do. In this garden a row of blue-painted trellises suggest the look of picture frames in a gallery. Framed trellises with wired braces can be custom-made and fitted on walls and fences to aid the growth of vines and creepers.
Here are some trending materials for garden walls and fences
Here are some trending materials for garden walls and fences
Large trellises can double as fences, partition walls or boundary walls in gardens of all sizes. Wood lattices, strings, wires, metal rods or any suitable material can make for trellises and screens to embrace vertical greenery. Here, a huge metal mesh trellis is installed for the purpose.
3. Instead of haphazard growth, vines can be tied and trimmed to grow in pre-designed, meticulous shapes and patterns around a wire or mesh. Repeating circles tailor a striking statement in this garden area.
Look at these urban garden designs from Indian homes
Look at these urban garden designs from Indian homes
4. In this space, the plant supports are integrated within the minimalist design scheme. The lines of timber rafters run from the interior ceiling, through a wall, to form a pergola roof outside and then down the courtyard wall. Wired braces fixed within the rafters assist the growth of the climbing plants.
Learn how to create a calming minimalist garden
Learn how to create a calming minimalist garden
5. Plant supports can be installed in planters, too. The climbing plant can then extend upwards, like here, up to the height of the support provided.
6. I feel a pergola design is incomplete unless vines grow over it. Vines add colour, warmth and bring the benefit of shade, softening the look of cold, hard materials.
Here, a plain white pergola gets a beautiful purple upgrade with the introduction of a wisteria to frame the green garden view.
7. Often, the sharp lines and prosaic materials of a garden shed or outhouse can add a bit of harshness to the surrounding gentle, green landscape. In such cases, climber plants can come to the rescue. Here, ivy-laden lattices blur the strict lines and offer a dreamy facade to this garden shed-cum-studio.
Check out 10 other clever urban gardens
Check out 10 other clever urban gardens
8. These doorways are framed by brightly-coloured flowering vines amidst a Mediterranean setup. Regular pruning routines pull off the well-tailored, subtle look.
9. Climbing plants can be grown in the most unexpected, small spaces too. I love how this under-stair area, which is generally left clear, is given special meaning with the use of climbing plants.
10. Twining roses help reinforce the focal point in this garden. The bushy foliage envelopes the arched top, while roses bestow their soothing fragrance to anyone sitting on the bench underneath.
11. Not all terraces offer promising outdoor views. In such cases, building high parapets or screens can be a clever idea. High walls screened by plants not only make the outdoor space feel secluded and cosy, but also create the feeling of a garden in apartments and compact homes. The urban terrace in the picture sports wooden screens and corner seating. Built-in planters and climbing vines warm up the setting and soften hard surfaces.
Here are 7 expert tips for a lush, green terrace garden
Here are 7 expert tips for a lush, green terrace garden
12. A variety of climbing wall shrubs can be grown over a vertical mesh to craft a feature element in any garden or balcony. The living wall in the picture supports a number of bushy plants, providing vertical interest and a punch of organic colours to the frame.
Read more:
Must-Have Garden Accessories
9 Seating Ideas That Will Tempt You to Come Outside
Tell us:
Have you cultivated climbers in your garden? Where and how? Show us pictures in Comments below.
Read more:
Must-Have Garden Accessories
9 Seating Ideas That Will Tempt You to Come Outside
Tell us:
Have you cultivated climbers in your garden? Where and how? Show us pictures in Comments below.
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Soften structures be they fences, pergolas or sheds with climbing plants (such as the evergreen and scented Trachleopermum jasminoides or a well-behaved Clamatis such as 'Elsa Spath') is always going to look better than without! That said, do your research to make sure you pick a plant that doesn't grow too rapidly too quickly, but has a neat habit, or you will be giving yourself work keeping it under control!