I'm wanting to add some permaculture techniques to an existing small garden in the UK. Could anyone recommend some productive climbers to utilise the vertical space? Things like honeysuckle go well here but obviously something edible would be better.
I am an advocate of Luffa. When small and young I hear they are yummy... too late to try when I had bushels of the things. They are super handy to use around the house and are lovely in bloom.
air potato Dioscorea bulbifera other yams Dioscorea spp. mashua Tropaeolum tuberosum passionfruits Passiflora spp. kiwis Actinidia spp. lablab Dolichos lablab malabar spinach Basella alba akebia Akebia quinata and A. trifolia ground nut Apios americana
those are a few that come to mind quickly. they're all pretty easy. most, should be perennial in zone 8 if you treat them well. the exceptions would be some of the passifloras, malabar spinach, and lablab.