WHY not get excited about climbers this summer?

Here’s a selection of climbing plants from three different families, each of which can bring cascades of colour to your garden through the summer months. Abundant, beautiful flowers and an interesting way of growing are only part of the story.

Climbers are also really handy for disguising unsightly features in the garden and don’t need much space on the ground. The range is exciting too, with colours and preferences to suit every garden.

Campsis, or Trumpet creeper is a favourite because it’s vigorous, tolerant of most soils and the trumpet-shaped flowers are just so much fun.

Look out for Campsis grandiflora, which produces clusters of wonderful trumpets in later summer. They can be dark orange to red. Campsis radicans produces more slender flowers, again in late summer and has the bonus of being self-clinging. This means it will grow up a wall, fence or tree trunk.

Clematis is a garden classic. Yellow, pink, red, white and blue flowers... all are possibilities. At this time of year it is those varieties that flower from summer into autumn that are most interesting. Clematis 'Abundance' is a great choice with its wine-red flowers and light green leaves. 'Bill MacKenzie', with its bell-shaped, yellow flowers is another winner.

Lonicera is, quite simply, a defining summer garden plant. Beautiful flowers, many of which have a fragrance that is so evocative and romantic that it stops you in your tracks and plenty of vigorous, hardy cultivars make this a brilliant plant.

Look out for Lonicera x brownii 'Dropmore scarlet' if you want flowers over a long period in summer. For a fragrant variety, Lonicera x americana is ideal.

Most climbers need to be trained against walls (using trellises), up fences or on other plants (trees, tall shrubs).

Some varieties of Clematis and Lonicera can reach 7m in height, but there are many in the 2-4m size range and some smaller still. Campsis can reach up to 10m in height. Moist, well-drained fertile soil is perfect for any of this selection.

Work in compost when you plant to help drainage and fertility. Lonicera and Clematis thrive in sun or partial shade. Campsis prefers full sun against a wall (this plant is only hardy down to -5C). Pruning will help establish strong plants, check when you buy how to prune the climbers you’ve chosen.

Climbers help a garden and gardeners to relax. There is something about their confidence that brings a real sense of fun to any garden. Maybe it’s connected with Jack and his magic beans?

Whatever the reason, work with the vertical dimension and enjoy your garden to the full with climbers.