Training Climbing Plants
Climbing plants grow especially strongly in the early months - and above all, where they will. This can quickly produce a small jungle in your garden. It is better to take action early and to bring the "wild young ones" under control with climbing frames or aids.
Not all climbing plants are the same
There are different types of these plants as well, and their names tell you how they climb.
Self-climbers
Spreading climbers
This type develops long, pliant shoots and they anchor themselves with their thorns everywhere where they can get enough grip. The best-known examples are almost certainly rambling roses. These can get just about everywhere Horizontal wires or rods are used to guide them to where they are wanted.
Self-climbers
This type does not need a climbing frame at all and can climb walls by itself with its adhering roots or disks. The best-known examples of this type are ivy and wild vines. Even if most of these plants do not need any "outside help", it is usually still a good idea to give them a little help when they are getting started in the form of a wire system.
Lianas
Better known under the name of creepers, these like to use other plants - mostly trees growing upwards - to slowly but surely wind their way upwards. It is best to use stable and vertically-standing climbing aids so that they can still provide support after many years even with luxuriant growth.
Tendril climbers
These plants, such as the universally popular clematis, entwine their movable appendages around objects and so gain a hold. Use a trellis to help them produce a splendid and controllable growth.
The latest climbing aids
Even if there are no limits here to your fantasy, it is still advisable to use some of the tried and proven "helpers" so that you do not have to wait too long for success.
Wall espaliers
As the name implies, you attach these climbing aids to walls – preferably using dowels so that they will remain firmly attached. Ensure that the espalier or trellis is at least 10 cm away from the wall so that the facade that is behind will not be damaged by the climbing plant. You already have the best basis for a natural "wall decoration".
Training espaliers
You can easily make these freestanding aids yourself. Those who are less skillful with their hands can simply buy what they need. They are available in various shapes and forms.
Arches
Bring the flair of an "English garden" to your home. Because these aids have been extremely popular for garden design for centuries now - and even outside the British Isles. They are especially effective as an entrance gate. This assumes that they are abundantly filled with something such as rambling roses.
Trellises
This climbing aids are often used as a flowering visual screen – and are available in wood, plastic or metal to suit your taste. After a while they are completely covered by the climbing plants and so give the impression that the plants have formed a wall all by themselves.