How to plant a climber against a wall or fence: a step-by-step guide

Shwmae, everyone!

A bare fence or wall is a blank canvas, and autumn is a lovely time to plant a climber while the soil is still warm. Roots settle in over winter, ready to romp away in spring. Here's how to do it.

1. Choose the right climber for the spot

• A shady wall: Japanese honeysuckle is evergreen, does well in shade and has sweetly scented summer flowers.
• Fast evergreen cover: Algerian ivy grows in full sun or shade and is brilliant for wildlife.
• Winter colour: winter jasmine brings bright yellow flowers from January to March.
• Autumn fire: Virginia creeper turns bright red in autumn. It's very vigorous, so give it a big wall, and never plant it out in the wild.

2. Put supports up first

Fix trellis or horizontal wires about 30-45cm apart before you plant, holding them a few centimetres off the wall so air can move behind. Ivy can cling on its own once it gets going, but a few ties help every climber get started.

3. Plant away from the base

The soil right at the foot of a wall or fence is often dry and poor, because the wall shelters it from rain. Dig your hole 30-45cm out from the base instead.

4. Prepare the hole

Soak the plant in a bucket of water while you dig a hole about twice the width of the pot. Loosen the soil at the bottom and mix in some peat-free compost.

5. Plant at an angle

Set the plant at the same depth it sat in its pot, leaning gently towards the wall. Firm the soil around it with your hands.

6. Lead the stems

Untie the stems from their cane, fan them out and tie them loosely to the lowest wires or trellis with soft twine. A couple of canes angled back to the wall can bridge the gap.

7. Water and mulch

Give it a really good soak, then spread a layer of peat-free compost or bark over the root area. Keep watering in dry spells through its first spring and summer.

Aftercare

Tie in new shoots as they grow, spreading them sideways for the best cover. Prune winter jasmine in spring once the flowers have faded. And please note that honeysuckle, and Virginia creeper's berries, are toxic if eaten, so keep an eye on curious pets and children.

You'll find all of these in our climbing plants and vines, grown peat-free in Wales.

Until next time, happy gardening!
Garden City Cymru