Anyone who has the smallest patch of earth in which to grow can benefit from growing up. Whether a city, suburban or country gardener with a condominium with only a small terrace, a house with an average backyard or a sprawling estate, you can improve on your garden by going vertical. Vertical gardening is practical - plants do not take up valuable ground space for anything but stem and roots - and attractive. Growing plants vertically maximizes space in any garden. Increased air circulation around the plant and more leaves exposed to the sunlight, usually result in healthier, happier plants.

Vines are the most common plants to grow vertically. Although some, like wintercreeper and ivies make good ground covers, they are superlative when given the support to grow skyward. Vines have a range of uses in the landscape—softening stark architectural lines, providing a screen for shade and/or privacy, and extending limited garden space. A factor not to be overlooked is that they move the focal point up to eye level - flowers and fruit are right in front of you, or higher - adding to the diversity of the garden.

Vines have different growth habits, enabling them to climb. Simply, there are clinging and non-clinging vines. Clinging vines can attach themselves to almost any surface. Boston ivy has short tendrils with adhesive-like disks or suction cups at the ends that allow it to easily attach itself to almost any surface, without damaging the surface. Climbing hydrangea, English ivy, creeping fig, wintercreeper and trumpet vine attach themselves with small, root-like hold-fasts formed along their stems. They do best on slightly rough surfaces like bricks, wood or stone. Hide an unsightly chain link fences in several seasons with a combination of ivy or wintercreeper (both evergreen so it looks nice in winter) and trumpet vine (for color and attracting hummingbirds in summer).

Non-clinging vines grow by one of several methods. Star jasmine climbs by weaving or twining its stems through a lattice or other support. Wisteria and other large twining vines can strangle a tree by wrapping their strong stems around the trunk. Give them a support sturdy enough to hold the weight of the mature vine - a pergola or arbor can work well. Other vines, like grapes, have tendrils that tightly coil around supports.

The supporting players in the vertical garden add to its beauty and splendor. A gazebo, resplendent with morning glory and fragrant moonflowers climbing up its posts, is a magic place from which to enjoy the rest of the garden. A pergola provides shade, while supporting even a strong climbers like wisteria, grape or hydrangea. Add a romantic touch with a rose arbor. Even a simple picket fence is softened and transformed with fragrant sweet peas twining among the pickets.