Growth Habits of Climbing Plants
Most climbing plants require some form of trellis or growth support, hence it is useful to be familiar with their growth habits, as they determine the type of trellis or espalier required. In this section, the climbing plants have been classified into six major groups, with more detailed information available under the individual plant profiles. This classification is based on the various growth habits, for which FassadenGrün offers a selection of appropriate trellis systems in either light, medium or heavy duty versions.
Self-Clinging Plants ("Stem Root Climbers" and "Stickers") such as Ivy or Virginia Creeper don't need growth supports, however, some guiding support can be helpful during the establishment period. Usually, the clinging aerial rootlets are formed only once during the growth of a young shoots; with increasing girth growth they tear off so that the plant is connected to the wall only ever by their young shoots. It is therefore important to install a few horizontal wire ropes, especially for old, large plants, to prevent them from collapsing.
Twiners, Vines or Lianas love ropes and rods, around which their main shoot can twine like a spiral. For annual climbers and the more fragile twiners such supports are acceptable. However, the main stems of perennial and vigorous twiners must be unwound and tied to the external side of the trellis, as is described under Wisteria. Otherwise, massive trellises with extreme distance from the wall (15cm+) are required, which will cost several times more than the ordinary growth supports.
Climbers with Stem Tendrils eg grapevines (and to some extent the woodbine), produce wiry, flexible growths from the stems which react to touch. That is, once the tendrils come in contact with a support, they will twine around it and thus attach themselves. They eventually stop growing and become lignified. This particular feature is useful in grapevine Cordons, whereby the tendrils on the yearly canes twine around eg trellis systems 8010. It is crucial that the actual stem framework of these plants - in particular of perennial ones - is tied to the external side of the trellis, which must be suitably strong and stable.
Climbers with Leaf Tendrils such as Clematis and many annual climbing plants climb similarly to those with stem tendrils, however it is the leaf stems which coil around thin supports. These plants usually develop only delicate stem frameworks, hence they require rather light growth supports with a fine mesh, such as wire rope system 5040 or 5050.
Ramblers such as Climbing Roses and Blackberry snag into readily installed rods and wires with thorns or similar and have to be tied onto the supports. Growth supports and ties must be appropriately strong to withstand the increasing lateral pressure and tensions exerted by the growing plants.
Shrubs such as Scarlet Firethorn, Winter Jasmin and espalier fruit are not climbing plants, but can be espaliered by tying them to growth supports. Lateral pressures and tensions exerted on these trellis systems and particularly on wire rope systems are enormous, not just from the usual weight of foliage and fruit, but also from increasing plant growth. Hence it is crucial that these supports are particularly well-designed and sturdy.