The Best Climbing Plants

Moonflower

Moonflower

(Ipomoea alba), annual from Zone 9 to more northern zones

This relative of morning glory is a twining vine, bearing fragrant 5-inch-wide blooms that open at dusk. It covers fences, trellises, arches, and arbors with a dense layer of attractive foliage in a single season. It's especially dramatic framing doors and walls.

GLOSSARY: Twining vines ascend by encircling supports. Give them their best form by manually training new growth around vertical supports.