New York gardens can burst with color without breaking the bank. Climbing annual plants offer a perfect solution for gardeners wanting maximum impact with minimal expense.
These fast-growing beauties transform fences, trellises, and walls into vertical masterpieces of color and texture during our growing season.
1. Morning Glory Magic
Morning glories transform ordinary garden spaces with their trumpet-shaped blooms in vibrant blues, purples, and pinks. The heart-shaped leaves create a lush backdrop for flowers that open with the dawn and close by afternoon.
These fast growers can climb 10-15 feet in a single season, making them perfect for covering unsightly fences or creating privacy screens. Simply direct-sow seeds after the last frost when soil has warmed, and enjoy the show until autumn frost arrives.
2. Speedy Sweet Peas
Sweet peas deliver both fragrance and beauty in New York’s cool spring and early summer. Their delicate, butterfly-like blooms in pastels and bright colors attract compliments and pollinators alike.
Plant seeds directly in the ground as soon as soil can be worked in early spring. With proper support from a trellis or netting, they’ll climb 6-8 feet, rewarding you with armfuls of cut flowers. Regular harvesting encourages more blooms, extending your enjoyment throughout the season.
3. Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Unlike its namesake perennial, the Black-Eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata) climbs enthusiastically through New York summers. Cheerful orange, yellow, or white flowers with distinctive dark centers pop against heart-shaped green leaves.
Growing 6-8 feet in a single season, these vines thrive in hanging baskets or climbing up trellises. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost for earlier blooms. Their heat tolerance makes them reliable performers when summer temperatures soar, continuing to flower until frost claims them.
4. Climbing Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums offer the complete package – beautiful flowers, edible leaves and blooms, plus easy care. Their round leaves and jewel-toned flowers in oranges, reds, and yellows cascade beautifully from containers or climb supports.
Growing 6-10 feet tall, these plants actually prefer poor soil and minimal water once established. Simply push seeds directly into garden soil after frost danger passes. The peppery leaves and flowers add zip to salads, while their ability to attract beneficial insects makes them functional garden helpers.
5. Scarlet Runner Beans
Scarlet runner beans bring triple value to New York gardens – striking red flowers, delicious beans, and impressive height. Hummingbirds flock to the bright blooms that appear all summer on vines reaching 10-12 feet tall.
Plant seeds directly in the garden after frost danger passes, providing sturdy support like a teepee of poles. The young pods make tasty green beans, while mature beans can be dried for winter soups. Native Americans have grown these beauties for centuries, appreciating their reliability and productivity.
6. Cardinal Climber
Cardinal climber creates a dazzling vertical display with star-shaped scarlet flowers against finely cut, fernlike foliage. Hummingbirds can’t resist the tubular blooms that appear in abundance from midsummer until frost.
Growing 10-15 feet in a single season, these vines need something to climb. Nick the hard seed coat and soak overnight before planting for better germination. While related to morning glories, cardinal climbers feature more delicate leaves and flowers, creating an airy, elegant effect on trellises and arbors.
7. Heavenly Blue Morning Glory
Among morning glory varieties, ‘Heavenly Blue’ stands out for its stunning sky-blue flowers with white throats. The 4-5 inch blooms create a breathtaking display against brick walls or wooden fences throughout summer.
Nick seeds and soak overnight to speed germination, then plant in average soil after frost danger passes. Unlike some aggressive morning glory types, this variety behaves well in New York gardens. The vines grow quickly to 10-12 feet, creating a living curtain that filters light beautifully on porches and pergolas.
8. Purple Hyacinth Bean
Purple hyacinth bean creates drama with reddish-purple stems, violet-pink flower clusters, and shiny purple seed pods. The entire plant brings rich color to New York gardens from midsummer until frost cuts it down.
Growing 10-20 feet in a single season, these vigorous climbers need sturdy support. Plant seeds directly after frost danger passes. While technically edible when properly prepared, most gardeners grow them purely for ornamental purposes. Save dried seeds in fall to replant next year, making this annual essentially free after your first purchase.
9. Cypress Vine
Cypress vine dazzles with delicate star-shaped scarlet flowers against feathery, almost threadlike foliage. The airy texture brings elegance to New York gardens while attracting hummingbirds throughout summer.
Growing 10-15 feet tall, these vines need something thin to twine around. Nick the hard seeds and soak overnight before planting after frost danger passes. The finely-cut leaves create a soft, misty effect that contrasts beautifully with broader-leaved plants. Morning sun with afternoon shade produces the best flowering in hot summer weather.
10. Canary Creeper
Canary creeper brings whimsy to New York gardens with its unusual yellow flowers resembling tiny birds in flight. The bright blooms contrast beautifully against deeply lobed, light green leaves throughout summer and fall.
Growing 8-10 feet tall, these vines climb by twining tendrils that grasp onto supports. Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost for earlier blooms. Unlike some climbing annuals that slow down in summer heat, canary creeper maintains steady growth and flowering even during July and August, making it reliable for season-long interest.
11. Spanish Flag
Spanish flag creates a patriotic display as its flower clusters transition from red at the top to yellow at the bottom. The color gradient effect is truly spectacular against green foliage on fences or trellises.
Growing 6-10 feet tall in a single season, these heat-loving vines thrive in New York’s summer warmth. Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before last frost or direct sow when soil warms. Unlike many climbing annuals, Spanish flag tolerates light shade while still producing abundant blooms, making it versatile for different garden locations.
12. Cup And Saucer Vine
Cup and saucer vine features unique purple-green flowers shaped exactly like their namesake tableware. The unusual blooms appear abundantly from midsummer until frost, creating conversation pieces throughout the garden.
Growing 8-15 feet tall, these vines climb by twining stems that need support. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost for earlier blooms. Native to Mexico, they thrive in New York’s summer heat. The seed pods that follow flowering resemble small, flattened pumpkins, adding interest even after blooming ends.
13. Climbing Snapdragons
Climbing snapdragons (Asarina) surprise gardeners with their ability to grow vertically unlike their bushy cousins. The trumpet-shaped flowers in purples, pinks, and whites resemble traditional snapdragons but appear on graceful climbing stems.
Growing 6-8 feet tall, these vines climb by twining around supports. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost for best results. While most climbing annuals prefer full sun, climbing snapdragons perform beautifully in partial shade, making them perfect for north-facing walls or fences in New York gardens.