How to plant a climber

Give your climbing plants the best possible start you can by following these tips...

1. Fix your trellis (or vine eyes and wires) in place at about 30cm above ground level before you begin planting. Rather than screw trellis directly to a wall, attach it to 5cm-thick support battens, so that air and your plant can move behind it. If you're using vine eyes to train wire to walls, screw or nail these into the wall or fence posts at 2m intervals. Thread your wire through them, then twist each length of wire back upon itself to secure it.

2. The base of walls and fences is always dry, so dig your planting hole 30-40cm away from it. Create a large hole for roots to grow, and add compost and a handful of bonemeal before planting.

3. Water your plant so the whole root ball is moist before it comes into contact with the ground, then dig a hole roughly 40cm from your wall or fence, adding plenty of compost to the bottom of the hole. At this distance, your plant will be out of the shadow of overhanging roofs and guttering, so will receive water when it rains.

4. Clematis (above) are best planted 5cm deeper than the top of your root ball, encouraging buds to develop below soil level as insurance against possible clematis wilt.

5. Position your plant at a 45-degree angle, spreading roots away from the wall.

6. Backfill the hole, firming the soil around your plant to remove any air pockets and form a stable footing.

7. Untie the plant stems from their bamboo canes, spreading them out evenly.

8. If necessary, insert a stake for each shoot so stems can reach the wall, tying the plant on with garden twine.

9. Attach the canes and/or the stems to the lowest wire or trellis support, trimming back any dead, weak or damaged stems.

10. Mulch the plant thoroughly to keep the moisture in and the weeds out, and feed regularly.