PUT UP A TRELLIS

Now’s the perfect time to put up supports for climbing plants. While the top growth of climbers, such as clematis, honeysuckles and roses, are leafless it’s easier to fix trellis to walls or to erect a freestanding trellis. Use fixings that are strong enough to take both the weight of the trellis and plants – a rose or honeysuckle laden with flowers and foliage can be very heavy. Paint wooden trellis before hanging to avoid splashing plants with paint, or buy a ready painted or maintenance-free model. If you plan to grow annuals you could make your own trellis by weaving lengths of cut willow or hazel.