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Choosing a trellis screen height for climbers...

robin 435robin 435 Posts: 54
in Problem solving
Hello

I'm planning on erecting a free standing trellis for some climbing plants like honeysuckle henryi, clematis armandii or star jasmine.

The trellis will also act as a screen to block the view from some overlooking windows and I'm trying to decide how high to make it.

My question is, once the climbers reach the top of the trellis, how high will they mound up on the the top, thus making the screen higher?

Thanks for your advice
Robin  :)


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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi Robin - I have a free standing screen, which is about 6 feet. I only have one clematis on it, as it backs the little pond. 
    I think it'll depend on how wide you have it, and how much you want to train plants horizontally. That helps get more flowering stems. I let my clem run through to the other side too.
    You can always tie stems in at the top, or let them spill over, depending on the look you want. A big, mature climber will probably add about another foot with it's framework of stems and branches.

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • moragb1moragb1 Posts: 291
    Hi Fairygirl love your trellis very modern. Could I ask if you can get this fence height?  I would like to train a clematis along the border between me and my neighbour in my front garden and can't figure out how to do it. Don't want a traditional fence x thanks
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi Morag - do you mean a fence the size of my screen? I didn't buy it, I made it to fit the space.
    It wouldn't be difficult to do as a fence though - it's just roofing battens attached to horizontals, top and bottom.  :)
    There's vine eyes attached at regular intervals to tie the clematis onto. I was just adding some today as I was unable to do them last year, and then I'm constantly fighting to keep it contained once it gets going!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Clever FG.  It looks stunning.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Thanks Obelixx. I'm fond of it - and I can tuck pots in behind it as the path's wide there. Ideal for cuttings and young plants, and also bulbs while out of season.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • robin 435robin 435 Posts: 54
    Thanks for replying to my post Fairygirl, I really like the look of your trellis too, it's given me some good ideas for when I build my own  :)

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited March 2019
    The one bit of advice I'd offer is - don't make it difficult for yourself, Robin. Work with the sizes of timber available where possible, to avoid doing a lot of cutting, and make sure the posts are well concreted in. If you're painting the battens, do that first as well.
    Sorry - that's three bits of advice ;)
    My posts form the corners of the raised beds with the apple trees in them too, which provides extra support. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • moragb1moragb1 Posts: 291
    Wow thanks Fairygirl. I thought from the photo it was metal. Looks fab. I don't have the skills to do that. Pardon my expression but I am bad at screwing ha ha . I am getting someone to teach me right now with decking board edging and I had them everywhere & burnt my finger on a hot screw as I didn't realise it got hot!!! grr  well at least I try and am learning new skills 
    Trying ti think on how to train a clematis along the front of my garden without having to install a fence. Probably not possible
    xx

    in this photo I am removing the three centre jaggy bushes on the right and would like to train a clematis along the border if possible

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    There are herbaceous clematis that only grow 2 or 3 feet high but if you want one that sens out long stems you'll need to train it on a fence, trellis, mesh, tensioned wires or similar and that means a bit of DIY and some posts to hold it all up.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • moragb1moragb1 Posts: 291
    Thanks Obelixx may have to rule it out xx
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