Tendrils
Some plants climb using tendrils, specialised organs developed from leaves or stems that twist round anything with which they come into contact. They may be branched, as in vines, or unbranched, as in cucumbers, and often tighten over time, pulling the climber closer to its host.
Often seedlings and young plants fail to produce tendrils but as the stems grow taller, and more in need of support, then tendrils develop.
Other tendril climbers include passion flowers, with tendrils like corkscrews, and there are even peas that develop a mass of tendrils and no leaves; the tendrils can be picked and stir-fried for Chinese dishes.
There’s also a small group of climbers that produce an adhesive sucker at the tip of each one. The Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, is the most often seen.
■ Top tendril climber: Lathyrus odoratus, the sweet pea, is probably the best-known tendril climber and the tendrils ensure they can scramble up into shrubs.
■ Growing tip: Exhibitors snip off the tendrils to prevent them gripping the plant’s own flower stems and distorting them.