Fast Growing Climbers for your Garden Arch

1. Clematis

Clematis is one of the most popular climbers in the UK, known for its vibrant flowers and fast growth. With numerous species and varieties, you can find clematis that blooms in almost every season. For quick results, look for vigorous varieties such as:

• Clematis montana: This variety is incredibly fast-growing and can cover an arch within a season or two. It's small, star-shaped pink or white flowers appear in late spring, filling the air with a delicate fragrance.
• Clematis tangutica: Known for its lantern-shaped yellow flowers and fluffy seed heads, this variety is another rapid grower that thrives in the UK climate.

To encourage healthy growth, plant clematis in well-drained soil with its roots shaded and its top exposed to sunlight.

2. Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

Honeysuckle is a classic choice for a garden arch, celebrated for its tubular, fragrant flowers and rapid growth. Native and cultivated varieties thrive pretty much anywhere you want to plant them, making it a versatile option. Our favourite varieties include:

• Lonicera periclymenum (Common Honeysuckle): A native variety with sweetly scented, creamy-white and yellow flowers that attract bees and moths.
• Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’: This evergreen variety produces creamy white flowers that turn yellow, exuding a heady fragrance during summer.

Honeysuckles prefer moist, well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded position. Regular pruning keeps them tidy and encourages vigorous growth.

3. Wisteria

Wisteria is renowned for its cascading ‘racemes’ of fragrant flowers in shades of purple, blue, white, or pink. Although it takes a couple of years to establish, certain varieties grow rapidly once settled.
Wisteria works particularly well on a Monet Arch where it has room to create a really spectacular display - Popular choices with Agriframes customers include:

• Wisteria sinensis: This Chinese variety grows quickly and produces stunning lavender-blue flowers in late spring.
• Wisteria floribunda: The Japanese wisteria offers longer flower clusters and comes in various colors, including white (‘Alba’) and pink (‘Rosea’).

Wisteria needs a sturdy arch to support its weight - Agriframes robust garden arches are made from galvanised tubular steel structures guaranteed for 10 years and ideal as a long term feature in your garden. Plant it in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, and prune twice yearly to maintain its shape and encourage flowering.

4. Passionflower (Passiflora)

Passionflower is an exotic-looking climber that grows rapidly in the UK’s temperate climate. The most commonly grown variety is Passiflora caerulea, which features intricate, star-shaped flowers in shades of blue, white, and purple, followed by orange fruits. This semi-evergreen climber thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
Passionflowers can cover an arch quickly, creating a striking focal point. They’re also low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning.

5. Climbing Roses

Climbing roses combine rapid growth with timeless elegance - there is no more classic garden feature than a rose arch! Many varieties grow quickly and produce an abundance of flowers with a heady fragrance. Popular choices for garden arches include:

• Rosa ‘Iceberg’: A fast-growing, repeat-flowering variety with white blooms.
• Rosa ‘New Dawn’: Known for its vigorous growth and pale pink, fragrant flowers.
• Rosa ‘Zephirine Drouhin’: This thornless variety is perfect for arches, offering vibrant pink, highly scented flowers.

Climbing roses prefer well-drained soil and a sunny location. Regular deadheading and feeding encourage continuous blooms.

6. Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)

Sweet peas are annual climbers that grow astonishingly fast, making them ideal for creating a quick display on a garden arch. They are a traditional garden favourite with colourful, fragrant flowers that bloom from late spring to early autumn. Popular varieties include:

• ‘Old Spice Mix’: A blend of heirloom varieties with a strong fragrance.
• ‘Cupani’s Original’: A historic variety with deep purple and crimson flowers.

Sweet peas prefer rich, well-drained soil and full sun. Sow seeds in autumn or early spring for the best results.

7. Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)

This tropical-looking climber is a fast-growing annual that surprisingly thrives in the UK during the summer months. It produces bright orange, yellow, or cream flowers with dark centres, resembling a black eye. Black-eyed Susan vine grows quickly from seed and can cover an arch within a single growing season.
Plant it in fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position, and water regularly to keep it thriving.

8. Jasmine (Jasminum) 

Jasmine is another fast-growing climber known for its sweet scented flowers and delicate foliage. Two varieties particularly suitable for a garden arch are:

• Jasminum officinale (Common Jasmine): A deciduous climber with clusters of small, white, fragrant flowers that bloom throughout summer.
• Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine): This variety provides a splash of colour in winter with its yellow flowers and can be tied into a sturdy metal arch to give a welcome burst of colour when very little else is in flower.

Jasmine grows best in well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded location. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages healthy growth.

9. Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)

Morning glory is a fast-growing annual climber that produces trumpet-shaped flowers in vibrant colours such as blue, purple, pink, and white. It thrives in sunny positions and can quickly cover an arch during the growing season.
Sow seeds in spring after the last frost, and provide well-drained soil and regular watering to ensure vigorous growth.

10. Evergreen
Climbers: Ivy (Hedera)

For year-round coverage, ivy is an excellent choice which can get easily forgotten. Varieties such as Hedera helix (English ivy) grow rapidly and cling easily to structures. Although it lacks flowers, ivy’s lush green foliage provides a dramatic backdrop for other plants and is a great option if you want a quick one season transformation of a new garden structure.

Ivy is a tough and resilient plant, growing in sun or shade and in most soil types. However, regular pruning is necessary to avoid it taking over where it is not wanted!

11. Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine)

This unusual climber is not seen so often in UK gardens but it grows quickly and produces maroon-purple, chocolate-scented flowers in spring, followed by sausage-shaped fruits in autumn. Its semi-evergreen foliage adds year-round interest.
Plant Akebia quinata in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded location. It requires minimal maintenance - just a bit of gentle pruning.

12. Nasturtiums
(Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtiums are cheerful, fast-growing annuals that are easy to grow, and trailing varieties are ideal for covering arches. Their vibrant flowers come in shades of red, orange, and yellow, and their peppery leaves are edible. Sow seeds in spring in well-drained soil in a sunny spot, and water regularly. As a bonus, nasturtiums are a favourite with bees and attract pollinators to the garden.

Agriframes Easy Tips for Growing Fast-Growing Climbers

• Support: Ensure your arch is sturdy enough to support the weight of vigorous climbers.
• Soil Preparation: Enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting to provide essential nutrients.
• Watering: Keep the soil moist, especially during the first growing season.
• Pruning: Regular pruning helps control growth, maintains shape, and encourages flowering.
• Feeding: Use a balanced fertiliser to promote healthy growth and blooms.

Whether you prefer fragrant flowers, vibrant colors, or evergreen foliage, there is a climber to suit every taste and style - by choosing one or more of these fast-growing climbers to grow on your Agriframes Metal Garden Arch, you can create a stunning garden arch that will be a focal point for many years to come - guaranteed!