First, you must understand what I am. I am not a plant that magically sticks to surfaces on my own. I am a twining vine. This means my primary strategy for reaching the sun, above the competition, is to wrap my stems around any suitable support I encounter. My young shoots are slender and flexible, searching the air for something to grasp. I do not have tendrils like peas or sticky pads like ivy. My entire stem is my climbing tool. When you provide me with a trellis or fence, you are giving me the perfect structure to fulfill my innate desire to climb. The key is that the support must be relatively thin. I can easily wrap myself around narrow slats, wires, or bamboo poles, but a wide, flat wall is impossible for me to grasp.
Your actions at the beginning of our life together are crucial. When you plant me near the base of the trellis or fence, position my main stem as close to the support as possible. Do not leave a large gap. My young stems are eager but short; they cannot reach far. Immediately after planting, you need to gently guide my strongest and most flexible shoots towards the trellis. Do not force me or tie me too tightly. Think of it as an introduction. Use soft plant ties, strips of cloth, or even twist-ties looped loosely in a figure-eight pattern (around the support and my stem) to avoid damaging my tender bark. This initial guidance is like showing a young sapling the path—it sets the direction for all future growth.
As I begin to grow, my new shoots will emerge rapidly, especially during the warm growing season. Your job now is to be a gentle guide. Regularly check on my progress. When you see a new, long stem waving in the air, looking for support, that is your cue to intervene. Gently take this stem and weave it horizontally through the openings of the trellis or along the fence. You can also loosely tie it in place. Why horizontal? Encouraging lateral growth helps me cover more of the structure and often promotes more flowering sites along the length of the stem, rather than just at the very top. Do not be afraid to gently bend my stems; they are designed to be pliable. This process of "tucking and weaving" is far more effective and natural for me than a rigid system of ties. It allows me to feel the support and begin twining on my own.
My ability to climb is directly linked to my overall health and vigor. To have the energy to send up long, climbing shoots, I need your help. Please ensure I am planted in a sunny spot. I need ample sunlight to produce the energy for strong growth. Water me regularly, especially when I am young and establishing my root system, but ensure my feet are not constantly wet. Well-draining soil is essential. Feeding me with a balanced, phosphorus-rich fertilizer during the growing season will give me the nutrients I need to produce not only lush foliage but also the abundant, fragrant flowers you desire. Pruning is also a form of training. After my main flowering period, you can prune back some of the wayward stems. This encourages bushier growth at the base and directs my energy back to the main framework you are helping me build on the trellis.
With your consistent and gentle guidance, I will quickly learn what to do. My twining instinct will take over, and soon I will be actively seeking out new parts of the trellis to conquer. The initial training phase is the most hands-on. Once I have established a strong framework of stems on the lower part of the structure, my new growth will naturally follow the same path, weaving through the older stems and climbing ever higher. Your ongoing role will shift from active training to minor adjustments and maintenance. The result of our partnership will be a beautiful, living tapestry of green leaves and starry white blossoms, transforming your fence or trellis into a focal point of beauty and intoxicating fragrance for many seasons to come.
