CLIMBERS AND CREEPERS

There's nothing as welcome as a vine-covered arch over a front gate or a delicate rambler twining its way in and around window shutters to display its perfumed flowers to perfection.  In these and other subtle ways climbers play an important role in the overall garden landscape.  By their very nature climbers set out to reach the high spots where there's less competition for light.  Some are suited to providing a focal point in a small garden, or in a tight spot as they need very little ground or wall space, other more adventurous types will sprawl over a garden shed, camouflaging it in no time.  Climbers come mainly from temperate or tropical forests where competition has forced them to evolve various means of ensuring their lax stems reach the light that is essential for manufacturing food.  These modifications allow some vines to twine around a post while others have thorns or hooks, tendrils, sucker discs even aerial roots to reach out for an anchorage on supporting plants.  The most common climbing mechanism is simply for a vine to twine.  Plants with thread-like tendrils such as sweet peas or the wonderful range of clematis need fine supports to allow the slender, modified leaf parts to grip.  Those with sucker pads are ideal for solid masonary walls, although their position should be chosen with care as the pads will leave unsightly marks on the masonry should they ever need to be removed.