Climbers can look really great if you do some preparation. Select an appropriate wall to train your Climbers against or use a free standing structure like this metal frame for the blue Clematis.

Structures For Climbers

• Affix trellises to your wall or selected fence before you start planting.
• Screw in vine eyes to your wall if you are going to string a wire framework for your climbers.
• If you are using a pergola, arch or other structure make sure it is strong enough to support the weight of leaf and blossom even when there is a strong wind blowing.
• Some plants and trees can provide the climbing support you need for less robust climbers.
• Annuals can be grown up canes and pea netting but make sure the end canes are firm and well supported as even sweetpeas can get top heavy later in the year.
• Even self-clinging plants like Ivy will need some support to get the climbing to start.
• Prepare the soil deeply, particularly with moisture retention in mind as walls tend to get very dry.

Tips for Climbing Plants

• In the above book series are RHS books on Walls and Fences, Arches and Pergolas and Climbing plants at less than £5 each
• Clematis can be quite magnificent scrambling over a fence or other shrub. Soak the roots before planting, plant the Clematis deeply and cover the soil surface with a slate or stone to preserve moisture. This will help prevent Clematis wilt and loss of your plants.
• Wisteria floribunda with Lilac or White flowers are very popular climbers but need several years before they are at their best.
• Underplant your climbers with shorter plants to cover any low growing bare stems.
• Honeysuckle is very aromatic and comes in several forms. It climbs and twines quite well on its own.
• Passion flower or Passiflora caerrulea are exotic in flower but the fruit are not good enough to eat and I have just turfed out my last specimen.
• Climbing Roses and Ramblers are probably the most frequently grow climbers and one to try is Crimson Glory but it will need tying in.