The term vertical gardening applies to plants that, when given the necessary support, can be trained to grow up rather than out, explains Paul James, host of HGTV's Gardening by the Yard.
Probably the best example of a vegetable trained to grow vertically is the tomato. If planted without support, a tomato will sprawl all over the ground, which is how nature intended for tomatoes to grow. But for decades gardeners have preferred to stake or cage tomatoes. Tomatoes grown vertically take up less space, seem to develop fewer diseases because the leaves aren't in contact with the ground, and may be harvested while the gardener's standing up.
Pole beans too like to grow upward. Bush beans seldom grow taller than a few feet, whereas pole beans will climb five or six times as tall. Cucumbers are another example of a vegetable that likes to grow vertically. But it's important to pick the right variety. A bush-type cucumber's vines won't grow more than a couple of feet out from the base of the plant. The more familiar vining cucumber is an aggressive climber, whether grown on a trellis, a fence, or a section of reinforced steel mesh stuck in an oak barrel.
In the landscape the most familiar climbing plants are vines, which climb in various ways. Pole beans and grapes, for example, climb by way of tendrils (figure A) that twine around a support. English ivy (figure B) and Virginia creeper climb freely, thanks to aerial rootlets that attach themselves to just about anything. And some vines simply wrap around whatever support is available. Climbing roses don't actually climb but produce very long stems that must be trained to some sort of support.
Some climbers, such as English ivy, require nothing more than a wall to climb on. Just remember that the rootlets that enable this type of vine to climb will stick to, and perhaps remove the paint from, your house. Others, such as trumpet vines, do grow on fences. And some vines enjoy climbing trees.
You can buy or make all manner of trellises for climbing plants, including miniature ones for potted plants. Full-size models are available for plants such as the climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) (figure C), which grows slowly.
When growing plants vertically, remember to put your trellis or support system in place before you plant to avoid damaging the plant. Make sure to anchor it securely. If you're creating a pole-bean tripod or cucumber trellis, push or hammer your stakes into the soil at least 6". But if you're growing an aggressive climber such as wisteria, it's a good idea to cement your support posts in the ground.
Bamboo Pole-Bean Trellis
DIY Landscaping and Gardening host Kim Haworth creates a pole-bean trellis from bamboo and a few twists of wire.
Materials: Bamboo poles
Wire
- Begin wrapping wire in a figure-eight between two bamboo poles (Figure D).
- Continue wrapping wire back and forth, creating tightness between poles.
- Add third bamboo pole (Figure E).
- Continue wrapping wire between middle and third pole until finished, and open trellis (Figure F).
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