How do I fix climbing plant mesh to wooden fence?
Lola Odeyemi
Posts: 8
I would like some help with support for my climbing plants. I have got 2 Clematis Montana Rubens and 2 Honeysuckle Copper Beauty which were all planted in November 2013 (last year). At the time, I had no knowledge whatsoever of gardening and got a gardener in to set the plants up. He set up wire supports (using vine eyes) against the wooden fence for the plants to grow and attach to. However, I reckon they are spaced too far apart (about 45cm each) because all four plants have formed patterns that look a lot like cat’s cradle. Certainly not the look that I was after.
What I want is complete coverage of the fence which I doubt will happen with the widely spaced wire supports. I have decided to start all over again but this time do it properly so I figure wire/plastic mesh is the way to go. Can anyone provide me with any visual help of how to set up mesh against a wooden fence? I am tempted to just attach them to the fence using u-nails/staples but my knowledge of physics makes me think it is a bad idea. I would be grateful for suggestions ASAP as I would like to set up the mesh and plant out the replacement climbers before the weather turns.
Posts
Both of these plants are vigorous twining climbers that don't need much support - they just fling themselves over whatever is nearest. You could have tied them in to the wires as they grew to persuade them to grow in the right direction. I wouldn't bother with mesh, it just makes the plants much more difficult to prune.
I don't know where you live, but that particular honeysuckle is only borderline hardy in the UK. Clematis montana will always form a huge tangle of stems - I've just cut mine down to the ground as I am replacing the fence, but the fence was completely covered, and the plants were growing into the nearby trees, without any form of wires or mesh. I expect the clematis to regrow in a very short time!
Strange, just noticed you have started two threads on the same topic!
Thanks for your reply. I thought I had posted my question in the wrong section so re-posted it. Apologies for the confusion. This is my first post on this site so thisis evidence of teething problems!