Make a feature of a doorway or garden fence with climbers that will create a mass of colour and texture and will hide any unsightly bricks, rusty frames and fencing.

Do you have an unsightly wall, fence or garden shed which you would like to disappear from view? Well, think about a variety of climbers which will not only hide the eyesore but can add a mass of colour and texture to your garden as a whole.

Climbers have other uses - grow them up unproductive old fruit trees to make the most of vertical space, or up an obelisk to add height or variety to a border.

Choosing the right plant for the right site is the key to minimising work, so make sure your plant matches the size of your support if you want to avoid the arduous and fiddly task of constant tying in.

If you are short of time, consider how much pruning you are going to have to do on particular plants. Some climbers, including Hedera canariensis 'Gloire de Marengo', Jasminum officinale 'Fiona Sunrise', Hydrangea serratifolia and Vitis coignetiae need no pruning, other than to keep within your boundary.

Obviously, sunny walls and fences on south and west-facing sites give you the chance to grow a range of more tender climbers and wall shrubs, including passion flower (Passiflora caerulea), the Chilean potato vine (Solanum), or Rosa banksiae. You will need to cover these with horticultural fleece if a severe cold snap threatens in winter.

When you are planting, consider what the scene will look like in winter. Try to include some evergreens in your design, such as ivies or euonymus if you want all-year-round cover.

Also, remember that climbers which cope well in shade will need good soil, so dig in plenty of organic matter when planting and mulch afterwards.

You need to angle the branches towards a prop, whether it be a fence, wires or another plant.

When looking at the height and spread of a particular climber, bear in mind that it largely depends on how you are going to train it. For instance, a vigorous clematis may grow to 10m (30ft) through a tree, but less when trained horizontally along a 1.2m (4ft) fence.

Combining climbers which have the same soil and situation requirements can be rewarding and can provide colour for a longer period if you pick a combination of plants which flower at different times.

Certain climbing roses can be combined with varieties of Clematis alpina and C. macropetala for a wonderful effect.

Here's a guide to some of the climbers most suited to particular situations.

Vertical features including arches, arbours and pergolas: Look no further than climbing roses, honeysuckle or clematis. Other good choices include the purple grape, Vitis vinifera 'Purpurea', and Trachelospermum asiaticum, a slightly tender evergreen which produces beautifully scented white flowers in summer.

Up trees: Choose large, vigorous climbers to make a quick impact including species clematis such as the yellow-flowered 'Bill MacKenzie', strong roses such as 'Rambling Rector' and Celastrus scandens (bittersweet).

Against walls: Wall shrubs including pyracantha or ornamental quince can be trained and get less out of control than some vigorous climbers. But if you have plenty of room against a wall, go for a large wall shrub like Magnolia grandiflora. Certain roses, including 'Danse du Feu', a red variety, and the yellow 'Mermaid', will grow well against shady walls. If you have dense shade, go for something like euonymus, which will climb when grown against the wall.

with HANNAH STEPHENSON