Climbing lesson for ugly walls and fences

Every garden should have a climber. They cover eyesores such as ugly walls or fences and add height to beds by growing over arches and pergolas.

They can create an immersive seating area, too, where you surround yourself with colour and fragrance in summer and shape and structure in winter.

Check the label to make sure it is suited to the position you have chosen then clear the area of weeds and dig in compost. This is important around walls, where soil is often poor and dry.

Dig a hole about 45cm away from the wall or fence. Remove the plant from its pot, tease out the roots and place in the hole. Make sure the top of the root ball is at soil level. Then backfill with soil, firm down and water in. Tie stems to short bamboo canes at 45 degree angles from the wall. This will keep the plant upright and give it vital support.

Finally, cover the soil with a layer of mulch to suppress weeds and hold in water. You can put a trellis or other support system up in spring if needed.

Many established climbing plants can soon get out of hand. Pruning keeps them in check, encourages stronger regrowth and better flowering and helps you spot pests and disease.

Prune deciduous climbers in autumn, after flowering. Evergreens should be lightly pruned after flowering.

Remove any weak stems or those that are growing in the wrong direction. Prune the hardier stems more lightly – they give the plant structure and keep the vine strong over winter.