Every garden needs a metaphorical anchor; something to hold it steady when the blooms have faded, the leaves have fallen, and the flower beds are bare. That’s where evergreen climbing plants come in. These super-reliable plants provide structure, privacy, and colour right through the year. While other plants retreat for winter, evergreen climbers keep on working and showing, softening hard edges and adding colour and texture to fences and garden structures.

Which is all fine and dandy, but there are an awful lot of climbing plants out there so which ones do you choose? Well, whether you want something glossy and green or scented and showy, there’s an evergreen climber that will be just perfect for you and your garden. But let’s narrow the options down and look at some of the best choices and how you can grow them successfully in your garden. But first…

Why Choose Evergreen Climbing Plants?

The clue’s in the name. They are evergreen. Simples. These are plants that keep their leaves all year round, so your garden never looks empty, even in the middle of winter when everything else is wilting or perished. You can read our article Climbing Plants: How to Transform Walls Fences and Arches into Living Displays.

But let's sum up; evergreen climbers are perfect for:

• Year-round coverage: Keeping walls, fences, and screens green in all seasons.
• Privacy and shelter: Great for screening patios and seating areas.
• Structure and texture: Their foliage adds depth and shape to any planting scheme or garden design.
• Low maintenance: Most species don’t need pruning or much maintenance once they are established.

Best Evergreen Climbing Plants

What is the best of anything is of course very subjective but when it comes to choosing evergreen climbers, think about two things: where they’ll grow (sun or shade) and what kind of look you want; lush and leafy, or colourful and fragrant?

Here are some of the best evergreen climbing plants you can choose for your garden.

1. Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)

If there’s one plant that will tick all your boxes it’s Trachelospermum jasminoides, better known as Star Jasmine. And who doesn’t love jasmine? This elegant evergreen climber produces masses of small, star-shaped white flowers in summer and generates a wonderfully fragrant scent. And, Its glossy, dark green leaves often turn bronze or red in winter, so you’ve got lovely colour even in the bleakest of winters. Star Jasmine is slow to get going but becomes a dense, self-supporting cover over time.

Where to grow:

• Best in full sun or partial shade.
• Perfect for south- or west-facing walls, pergolas, or fences.

Why gardeners love it:

• Highly fragrant summer flowers.
• Attractive evergreen foliage.
• Easy to train and maintain.

See also Fragrance on the Fence: The Most Scented Climbing Plants for Your Garden

2. Clematis armandii

For early spring fragrance and evergreen leaves, Clematis armandii is hard to beat. Native to China, it does well in the UK and produces starry white or pale pink flowers from late February through to April. So it’s blooming just when most garden plants are still waking up.

The large, glossy leaves look tropical, bringing a bold texture to garden structures even in winter. It’s vigorous but not invasive (so it won’t creep over to the neighbours garden), making it a top choice for larger spaces.

Where to grow:

• Prefers a sunny, sheltered position.
• Ideal for covering fences, walls, or trellis.

Why gardeners love it:

• Early-spring flowering and strong scent.
• Luxurious evergreen foliage.
• Quick to establish with minimal fuss.

3. Hedera helix (Common Ivy)

Few plants are as misunderstood, or as useful, as Ivy. Yes, it can get get out of hand and grow like BillyO but it’s native, tough, shade-tolerant, and one of the best plants you can grow for wildlife. Ivy provides nectar for pollinators late in the season and berries for birds in winter.

Modern varieties such as Hedera helix ‘Goldheart’ or ‘Glacier’ are far more refined than the wild version, with beautiful variegated leaves that bring colour even in gloomy corners.

Where to grow:

• Thrives in sun or deep shade.
• Excellent for covering north-facing walls or fences.

Why gardeners love it:

• Extremely hardy and low maintenance.
• Supports insects and birds.
• Superb for year-round structure and privacy.

Tip: If you’re nervous about ivy’s reputation for taking down buildings, grow it on a trellis or wire system slightly off the wall. This keeps air circulating and avoids damage to brickwork.

4. Pyracantha (Firethorn)

Pyracantha is a slightly different type of evergreen climber. Technically it’s a wall shrub, but when trained against a fence or wall, it behaves like a climber and the colour it produces is amazing. So, we’ll happily include it here.

In spring, Firethorn is covered in white flowers, followed by masses of bright berries in autumn and winter. The berries range from yellow and orange to red, depending on the variety, and are a vital food source for birds.

Where to grow:

• Full sun or light shade.
• Needs sturdy support such as wires or trellis.

Why gardeners love it:

• Superb year-round interest.
• Excellent wildlife value.
• Perfect for secure, thorny boundaries.

(Pair it with a scented climber for year-round appeal. See our Best Flowering Climbing Plants for Every Season guide.)

5. Lonicera henryi (Evergreen Honeysuckle)

Many honeysuckles lose their leaves in winter, but Lonicera henryi is a lovely evergreen variety that keeps its foliage throughout the year.

It bears clusters of tubular, purplish flowers in summer followed by small black berries. Although less fragrant than traditional honeysuckle, it makes up for it with reliability and coverage.

Where to grow:

• Sun or partial shade.
• Great for covering fences, sheds, or pergolas.

Why gardeners love it:

• Hardy and evergreen.
• Good choice for mixed plantings with deciduous climbers.
• Low maintenance and fast-growing.

6. Garrya elliptica (Silk Tassel Bush)

Although not a true climber, Garrya elliptica can be trained flat against a wall, where it will grow strongly and provide excellent evergreen coverage even in winter. Its long, silvery tassel-like catkins appear in midwinter. And they look cool when they start swaying in the breeze.

Where to grow:

• Full sun or partial shade.
• Best on a warm, sheltered wall.

Why gardeners love it:

• Striking catkins in the depths of winter.
• Sturdy, glossy evergreen leaves.
• Tolerant of wind and coastal conditions.

How to Plant and Train Evergreen Climbers

Evergreen climbers are easy to establish with a little care at the start.

• Prepare the soil well.
  Dig a generous hole and enrich with compost or well-rotted manure to encourage strong root growth.
• Position carefully.
  Plant about 30–45cm away from walls or fences so rainwater can reach the roots.
• Add supports before planting.
  Trellis, wires, or canes should be in place before your climber goes in the ground.
• Water thoroughly.
  Keep the soil moist, especially during the first growing season.
• Mulch and feed.
  Apply mulch in spring and feed during the growing season for healthy, glossy foliage.

For more detailed training advice, read How to Train and Support Climbing Plants Like a Pro.

Pruning and Maintenance

The good news is that most evergreen climbers need very little pruning.

• Trim lightly once or twice a year to maintain shape and prevent them from becoming too woody or straggly.
• Remove dead or damaged stems to encourage new growth.
• After flowering, cut back spent blooms to tidy the plant. This will encourage next year’s growth.
• Feeding the plant once or twice a year with a balanced fertiliser will keep foliage rich and glossy.

Evergreen Climbers for Every Garden Design

Evergreen climbers aren’t just for hiding fences or unsightly walls. They can play a starring role in your overall design.

• For formal gardens: Use Star Jasmine or Clematis armandii to create elegant, polished green walls.
• For wildlife-friendly gardens: Choose Ivy or Pyracantha for flowers, berries, and nesting shelter.
• For small spaces: Choose compact varieties like Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Pink Showers’ in containers.
• For low-maintenance schemes: Mix Ivy and Evergreen Honeysuckle. These are greart plants as they’ll take care of themselves.

Try pairing evergreen climbers with deciduous flowering ones, such as summer-flowering clematis. The combination gives you the best of both worlds: constant greenery and bursts of seasonal colour.

Common Problems

Evergreen climbers are tough, but a few issues can crop up:

• Yellowing leaves: Often a sign of poor drainage or low nutrients. You can rectify this by improving the oil and feed.
• Sparse growth: May result from too much shade or infrequent pruning.
• Pests: Watch for aphids and scale insects, especially on Star Jasmine. A natural soap spray works well.
• Winter damage: In harsh weather, protect roots with mulch and prune any frost-bitten tips in spring.

Most of the plants we’ve discussed will recover quickly with a little attention.

Final Thoughts

Evergreen climbing plants are the unsung heroes of the garden. They provide structure, privacy, and colour even when everything else has died back. Whether you prefer the glossy leaves and fragrance of Star Jasmine, the early blooms of Clematis armandii, or the rugged charm of Ivy, there’s an evergreen climber to suit every style and space.

With the right planting and a bit of care, these dependable plants will reward you year after year with a living wall of greenery that never goes out of season.

Explore the full range of evergreen climbing plants at Direct Plants and bring lasting structure and year-round colour to your garden.