Finding the right climbing plant for a north-facing wall might seem tricky, but it’s an opportunity to create a lush, green oasis in even the shadiest spots. While these walls rarely see direct sunlight, plenty of climbers thrive in low light, bringing beauty, texture, and even fragrance to those overlooked corners.
In this guide, we’ll dive into 28 stunning climbing plants—some perfect for north-facing walls and others best avoided. Whether you want evergreen coverage, seasonal blooms, or a burst of autumn color, there’s a climber that’s up for the challenge. Let’s transform those shady spaces into vibrant, living walls!
1. English Ivy
The evergreen nature of this plant makes it a perennial favorite for gardeners seeking year-round greenery. Its ability to cling to walls with minimal support is unmatched, creating a lush, textured surface.
Despite the lack of direct sunlight, it thrives, covering your north-facing wall with a vibrant tapestry of leaves. A classic choice for shaded areas, English Ivy is hard to beat.
2. Climbing Hydrangea
Even in the shadiest of spots, this plant produces elegant clusters of white flowers, brightening up any wall. Its slow-growing nature means it requires little maintenance, making it ideal for those who prefer a low-effort garden.
The aerial roots act like natural anchors, ensuring the plant clings securely to north-facing walls. With graceful foliage and blooms, it’s a sophisticated choice for any garden.
3. Boston Ivy
This plant offers a dramatic transformation with the seasons, becoming a fiery red spectacle in autumn. Its strong clinging tendrils ensure it holds fast, even on the most challenging surfaces.
Tolerant of shade, Boston Ivy is perfect for adding vibrant color to your north-facing wall. Its adaptability and year-round interest make it a standout choice.
4. Winter Jasmine
Winter is no match for this hardy plant, which bursts into bloom when most others lie dormant. Its cheerful yellow flowers bring a splash of color to the dreariest months.
Cold and shade are no deterrents, making it an excellent climber for those tougher spots. A winter garden isn’t complete without its sunny disposition.
5. Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’
With its striking pale pink flowers, this Clematis variety adds a touch of elegance to shaded areas. It prefers cool roots and a bit of sunlight, making it ideal for north-facing walls where full sun is scarce.
Even in less-than-ideal conditions, it blooms beautifully, offering a cascade of color and charm. It’s a superb choice for adding a floral touch to shady corners.
6. Clematis ‘Montana’
Known for its vigorous growth and abundance of blossoms, this plant is a powerhouse in the garden. It doesn’t shy away from shade, thriving where other plants might falter.
Its rapid growth and profusion of flowers make it an excellent choice for covering walls with limited sun. A reliable performer, it’s a must-have for any shaded garden.
7. Star Jasmine
Despite the lack of sun, this plant manages to bloom profusely, filling the air with its sweet scent. Its evergreen foliage ensures your wall remains verdant throughout the year.
The slow but steady growth means it won’t overwhelm your garden, requiring minimal upkeep. A fragrant and beautiful addition to any north-facing wall.
8. Virginia Creeper
For those seeking quick coverage, this fast-growing plant is a top contender. Its spectacular autumn display of red and purple leaves is a sight to behold.
Shade tolerance is one of its strong suits, making it perfect for north-facing walls. It’s a dynamic choice for those wanting a touch of drama in their garden.
9. Honeysuckle
The sweet fragrance of this plant is irresistible, attracting pollinators and delighting garden visitors alike. Its semi-evergreen nature ensures a year-round presence, even in shade.
Perfect for north-facing walls, it brings a blend of beauty and aroma to any garden. A delightful addition that appeals to the senses.
10. Akebia Quinata
Exotic dark purple flowers set this plant apart, adding intrigue to shady areas. Its resilience in partial to full shade is impressive, producing blooms even with minimal sunlight.
Thriving on north-facing walls, it adds a touch of the exotic to your garden. A unique choice for those looking to diversify their plant collection.
11. Euonymus Fortunei ‘Silver Queen’
This plant’s unique variegated foliage adds visual interest, with its creeping nature allowing it to cover walls effectively. Adaptability to low light conditions makes it a prime choice for shaded surfaces.
Its decorative appeal and ease of growth make it ideal for brightening up north-facing walls. A decorative plant that adds a touch of elegance.
12. Pyracantha (Firethorn)
Spiny branches and bright red berries make this plant a standout feature in any garden. Its evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, even in shaded areas.
Tolerance for shade and ability to grow against structures make it an excellent choice for north-facing walls. A spiky yet attractive addition to the garden.
13. Climbing Rose ‘Mme Alfred Carrière’
Few climbing roses can flourish in shade, but this variety defies the odds. Its fragrant pale pink flowers provide a touch of romance in less sunny spots.
Even with limited sunlight, it blooms generously, bringing classic beauty to north-facing walls. A rose that truly stands out in shaded conditions.
14. Japanese Hydrangea Vine
Showy white bracts and large heart-shaped leaves define this plant, creating a striking presence in the garden. Its ability to cling to walls and thrive in deep shade makes it ideal for north-facing surfaces.
Adding texture and brightness, it’s a wonderful choice for shaded areas. An elegant climber with a distinct charm.
15. Late Dutch Honeysuckle
Deep red flowers and a sweet fragrance make this plant a delight in any garden. Even in shaded conditions, it attracts pollinators, bringing life to north-facing walls.
Its climbing and twining nature ensures it thrives where others may struggle. A charming plant that adds color and scent to shaded spaces.
16. Bougainvillea
Though its vibrant colors are a feast for the eyes, this sun-loving plant struggles in the shade. Its need for strong, direct sunlight makes it ill-suited for north-facing walls.
In shaded conditions, it fails to thrive, missing the opportunity to show off its blooms. A striking plant, best reserved for sunnier spots.
17. Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
The deep purple flowers of this plant are stunning, but they come with a caveat. Its preference for full sun limits its success on north-facing walls, where light is scarce.
If there’s no adequate sunlight, it struggles to bloom, making it unsuitable for shaded areas. A beautiful plant, but one that requires the right conditions.
18. Passionflower
Exotic blooms make this plant a garden favorite, but it’s picky about its growing conditions. Struggling in shade, it fails to thrive on north-facing walls, which lack the sunlight it craves.
Without the sun, its tropical beauty is lost, making it a poor choice for shaded areas. Its dramatic blooms are best enjoyed in sunnier spots.
19. Wisteria
Cascading clusters are the hallmark of this plant, but they require full sun to be truly spectacular. A north-facing wall would limit its growth and flowering potential, leaving it lackluster.
The lack ample sunlight, Wisteria struggles, unable to deliver its signature floral display. Best planted where it can bask in the sun.
20. Trumpet Vine
Bright orange flowers make this plant a showstopper, but they demand sunny conditions. On a north-facing wall, it would languish without the heat and light it needs.
Its preference for hot, sunny locations makes it unsuitable for shaded spots. A vibrant plant that thrives in the sun.
21. Morning Glory
Rapid growth and stunning blue flowers define this plant, but shade is its downfall. It requires abundant sunlight to thrive, making north-facing walls a poor choice.
In deep shade, its growth falters, and its blooms are few and far between. A plant that truly needs the sun to shine.
22. Sweet Pea
Delicate fragrance and pastel blooms make Sweet Peas a favorite, but they are sun seekers. They require full sun to perform, struggling in shaded conditions where growth is stunted.
Without the light, their blooms are sparse, failing to deliver their usual charm. Ideal for sun-drenched areas, not north-facing walls.
23. Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
Starry white blooms and intense fragrance are hallmarks of this plant, but it craves warmth and sun. On a north-facing wall, it would struggle without the light it needs.
Its signature scent and blooms are best enjoyed in sunnier locations. A fragrant delight, but one that requires the sun to flourish.
24. Canary Creeper
Feathery foliage and bright blooms make this plant appealing, but shade is its enemy. It prefers bright sunlight, struggling to perform in shaded conditions like those on north-facing walls.
Without the sun, its growth is stunted, and its blooms are minimal. A sunny spot is where it truly shines.
25. Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Cheerful orange blooms are the highlight of this plant, but they fade in shade. On north-facing walls, it struggles without the bright light it needs.
Its performance is lackluster in shaded conditions, making it unsuitable for such locations. A vibrant plant, but one that requires sunshine.
26. Climbing Nasturtium
Vibrant red and orange blooms are the signature of this plant, but it craves full sun. In shaded areas, its growth and blooms are stunted, unable to reach their full potential.
North-facing walls are not ideal, as they lack the light it desires. Best suited to sunlit areas where it can thrive.
27. Roses (Most Climbing Varieties)
Most climbing roses are sun worshippers, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Only specific varieties can tolerate shade, making north-facing walls unsuitable for many.
Without adequate light, their blooms are reduced, and growth is limited. Best planted where they can soak up the sun.
28. Everlasting Pea
The hardy nature of this plant makes it appealing, but it needs full sun to bloom profusely. On a north-facing wall, it would struggle, with reduced flowering and growth.
No sun and its potential is not fully realized, making it a less ideal choice for shaded areas. A sun-loving plant at heart.