Four garden plants that benefit from extra support

Not every plant is happy growing independently; some naturally climb, trail or produce heavy stems and fruit that need a little extra support to stay upright and grow properly.

A trellis, stake, cage or frame can help these plants grow in the right direction while protecting them from bending, breaking or sprawling across the ground.

If you are looking to make better use of your garden space, here are some examples of plants that can benefit from structural support.

Cucumbers

Cucumber vines can spread across the ground, but giving them a trellis allows them to grow vertically. A strong support is useful once the plant starts producing fruit.

As the vines climb, you need to gently guide them towards your trellis. You may need to secure them loosely at first until they begin attaching themselves naturally. Growing cucumbers vertically can improve airflow around the leaves and keep developing fruit away from wet soil.

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Grapes

Grapevines are vigorous climbers and need a strong permanent structure as they mature. A good pergola, wire trellis, or even a sturdy framework can support the weight of the vines and developing bunches.

With the right training and pruning, grapevines can also provide attractive shade in a garden.

Bougainvillea

Although bougainvillaea can be trained into a shrub, it is often grown against walls, fences, and other structures. Its long, spreading growth benefits from support and training. They need strong support to handle the vigorous vines as the plants mature.

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Passion fruit

Vigorous climbers that require a strong structure, as their tendrils allow them to attach themselves to trellises, pergolas, fences and other structural supports.

Because an established passion-fruit vine can become substantial, the support should be strong enough to carry both the mature plant and its fruit. A well-positioned trellis or support structure can turn the vine into an attractive feature while providing useful vertical growing space.

Structural support is more than simply keeping plants upright. It helps gardeners organise their growing space, improve access to fruit and vegetables and make a garden look more attractive.

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