In order for a clematis to climb towards the sky, it needs a climbing aid. Creative hobby gardeners have the choice between natural and specially constructed climbing aids. We've put together some of the best suggestions for you.
Which climbing aids are suitable for clematis?
Natural climbing aids such as trees and bushes are suitable for clematis, where it can pull itself up on its own. Near facades, wooden trellises, grids or rope systems serve as climbing aids. Plant boxes with integrated trellises or climbing pyramids are also suitable.
Mother Nature provides these climbing aids for clematis
As petiole vines, clematis have the natural ability to pull themselves up trees and shrubs under their own power. The buttercup family owes its popular name clematis to this talent. While it quickly finds hold on bushes, a mighty tree trunk causes problems for a clematis if it tries to cling to it. Resourceful hobby gardeners give the climbing plant a little help:
- In the lower area, loosely cover the tree trunk with wire mesh
- Weave in the first tendrils by hand
- Alternatively, attach the first long tendrils to the lower branches with a rope
So that there is no root competition in the immediate vicinity of natural climbing aids, knowledgeable gardeners plant clematis in a large plastic bucket or mason's tub without a bottom.
Keep trellises on facades at a distance
Thanks to their vigor, clematis are very popular for greening facades. Wooden trellises, grids and rope systems serve as climbing aids. On the one hand, wall brackets create the necessary stability and at the same time ensure the important distance of 5 to 10 centimeters between the climbing aid and the wall. Only if the clematis is ventilated from the back on its climbing support will it remain he althy.
Plant boxes with integrated trellis as climbing aid
Less vigorous clematis hybrids act as magnificently blooming privacy screens. For this purpose, specialist retailers offer plant boxes (€81.00 on Amazon) that have a built-in trellis. Large pots with an integrated climbing pyramid or a forged obelisk are particularly decorative.
Attach the first tendrils of a clematis to the lower struts of the climbing aid using flower clips. The plant itself finds its way up. Since the clematis tends to grow vertically, individual shoots should now and then be fixed in a horizontal orientation.
Tips & Tricks
So that clematis thrive he althy and vitally on their climbing support for many years, there is ideally a roof or eaves above it to protect them from rain. The less moisture reaches the foliage of a clematis, the lower the risk of infection by fungal diseases, such as clematis wilt.