trellis vs. fence query

19 years ago

Hi,

I planted my first clematis last spring (Barbara, Arctic Queen, Marmori, Ruutel). They're all planted in front of a 4 foot high wire mesh fence (roughly 2" x 4" mesh), and last year I just let them grow on the fence -- except for Marmori, they didn't do too much (1 or 2 stems, maybe 3 feet tall), Marmori had several stems that got to the top of the fence. I'm wondering if it's OK to continue that way, just letting them grow up and along the top of the fence, or do they really need (or will they do better with) trellises (especially the two that are supposed to get to 8+ feet tall)?

Many thanks,

Alice

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Comments (4)

jeanne_texas
19 years ago
You might want to consider buying some 8-10 foot Tuteurs to place there to handle the height..what will happen with your clematis is that they will grow up and hang over...or if you are vigilent and direct the vines you can get them to grow sideways?...Jeanne
aliceb_ma6
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks, Jeanne. I think I might try the vigilant training approach & try to get the stems to run along the top of the fence, as long as that won't harm the plants -- it's a community garden plot & theft is a problem for things placed near the fence (padlock on the gate keeps the interior *relatively* safe) -- someone stole my pitchfork left leaning up against it earlier this winter!

Alice
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jeanne_texas
19 years ago
Oh Alice..that is horrible..I am so sorry...hope you share pics when they are in bloom!!...Jeanne
ice_angel
19 years ago
Alice, be careful, if they will steal your pitchfork, they may come back and dig up your clematis too, some people do strange things....
Jeanne, you need to post more pics of ALL your clematis, they are pretty.
Theresa.