support for climbers on fence

andrewf75

I might be overthinking this, but I'm about to plant a honeysuckle (dropmore scarlet) against my fence and a clematis to go with it (Jackmanni)

Whats the best support to use? trellis, horizontal wires or some kind of wire mesh?

Thanks!

Grenage

I use eyelet screws into posts and wire between,

James1236

I would use wires to support the flowers. If it's on a fence, wiring would be lighter than a trellis, meaning the fence could support the weight better. The appearance wouldn't matter too much since it'll mostly be hidden by the flowers before long!

[Deleted User]

The 2 you're talking of climb slightly differently, your Clematis will grow producing little, fine, tendrils and it's these that the plant uses to cling to enable it to 'climb'.


Without a plant (a rose, a shrub, your Lonicera (common name Honeysuckle) that those tendrils can cling to the Clematis will drop or flop (often to the ground) and cling to whatever else it can find to use.


So, a wooden trellis wouldn't be suitable for it but you can tie in your Lonicera to that trellis and the Clematis will cling to that plant.


Check the times of year for pruning each because with the 2 plants growing together you may end up removing one plants flowering stems whilst pruning back the other.
A quick search online (or invest in some good reference books) will show you which and when.


Also, very, important is to ensure that Clematis is planted very deeply - remember it's a vine and as such requires a very deep root run.
Plant it shallowly and it'll wilt and die.
Note the long thin plant pot you buy it in - that gives you a clue to the depth to go to (and beyond) when planting.