{"id":611972448582,"date":"2025-10-16T16:41:48","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T16:41:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/blogs\/uncategorized\/best-climbing-plants-shade-north-facing-walls\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T08:41:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T08:41:19","slug":"best-climbing-plants-shade-north-facing-walls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/blogs\/garden-plants\/best-climbing-plants-shade-north-facing-walls\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Climbing Plants For Shade"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shade Loving Climbers for North Facing Walls<\/h2>

The North Wall is tricky for growing plants up because it gets no direct sun. <\/p>

This disadvantage often comes with dryness: rain-bearing winds mainly come from the South-West.<\/p>

But with a little coaxing in the early years to get them established, there are plenty of climbing plants for the job. <\/p>

Here\u2019s a tip that we\u2019ve found to be true in most cases: if a climber will grow on an East facing wall, it will almost certainly manage on a North facing one, although it may not flower as well.<\/p>

Ivy: The Champion of Shade<\/h3>

Plain old green ivy<\/a> is a bit dull, but variegated Paddy\u2019s Pride (AKA Sulphur Heart)<\/a> is reasonably jolly. <\/p>

Ivy is self-clinging and does not damage new build bricks, it should only be avoided on old masonry that is already cracking.<\/p>

Honeysuckles<\/h3>

Climbing Lonicera<\/a> varieties frame a door on a North facing wall beautifully and fragrantly, although you will sacrifice some flowers compared to one grown in full sun.
They are twining vines, so need something to wind around as they climb.<\/p>

\"Serotina<\/figure>

One of the best honeysuckles for shade is the evergreen Lonicera japonica halliana<\/a>.
The creamy Graham Thomas<\/a> and late-flowering reddish-trumpeted Lonicera periclymenum Serotina<\/a> also work well.
Perhaps the toughest and most striking is the golden-orange Lonicera x tellmanniana<\/a>, but it lacks scent and so isn\u2019t a first choice for doorways.<\/p>

Clematis<\/h3>

Clematis<\/a> are the queens of climbers. Many varieties have flowers that fade in the sun, and they love having their feet in the shade, as long as they have sufficient moisture. <\/p>

Most clematis will be fine on a North facing wall, especially cultivars of Clematis alpina, Clematis macropetala, and the evergreen Clematis armandii.<\/p>

Some of our favourites:<\/p>