Climbers

Climbers' demands

Climbing plants, many of them originating from a shaded (forest/woodland) environment and are entirely focused on seeking out the light. So most of them like to have their roots in the shade, but their ‘head’ in the sun. This is particularly important for Clematis and you should always protect the base from sun and excessive heat. 

• The soil in which climbers grow must, of course, contain sufficient nutrients and moisture. 
• You should prune, guide, tie and fertilise climbing plants as required. The how, what and when depends on the variety. 
• Climbers require little care, most are easy and can look after themselves well.

Clematises should be planted about ten centimetres deeper than they come in their pots. This is necessary in order to protect them from the withering disease which only affects the part above ground. In the unfortunate event of the plant being affected, it can then always grow back healthily again from the roots. This is particularly important for large-flowered clematises.

A climbing support

Climbers do need something to climb on. In many cases you will have to make or buy such a climbing support yourself.

Here are some pointers to have in mind:

• Plants with fine tendrils often merely need some wires strung horizontally above one another in order to work their way upwards
• Others need coarse frameworks or slat structures to hold onto. 
• Always ensure that there is space between a solid back wall and the climbing structure. A plant must be able to grow round it. 
• Preferably use corrosion-proof wires. Galvanised mesh can be fitted around posts etc. 
• If you want to grow plants against concrete mesh (ivy), then opt for a galvanised version. 
• With climbing racks allow for the fact that on many plants it is particularly the branches  that are curved horizontally that bear flowers. This is why a fan-shaped trellis is used for climbing roses, for example.