Ya know what? I bought several clematis because I wanted to cover my 4 to 5 foot tall fence but then I just thought - oh gosh these clematis are going to want to grow much taller!!! How should I train them along this short fence? Any ideas?
My idea was to have string fan out in all directions attached to the fence....I guess this would work right? Then I would be working more horizontal that vertical.
Help help help please!
This message was edited Apr 16, 2007 8:56 PM
Need help with training clematis.
Hi DawnLL --
I have Jackmanii Clematis growing on trellises alongside my garage. The vines always grow taller than the trellis. So instead of having the vines flop over, last summer I took twine and ran the twine (in an "M" pattern) from the top of the trellis to the roof line of the garage. It worked beautifully. You couldn't see the twine once the vines grew -- and, of course, they didn't flop, either. So I'm sure your plan to use string will work fine. The vines should spread horizontally with no problem.
Good luck with your Clematis vines!
This message was edited Apr 17, 2007 2:31 PM
So, does that mean they will grab anything they can and go the direction it goes?
I decided to use chicken wire fencing over my wooden fence. I think it will be okay.
Yes, they will grab anything in their way. :-)
The chicken wire will work great!
Oh, missed that about a wooden fence. They will grab anything that is small enough to put their tendrils around.
My DH made a trellis out of 1/4 x 1-1/2 inch wooden slats we had hanging around and our Betty Corning is not having any problem at all with grabbing it.