- The Beauty & Utility of Climbers!

Climbers are plants that have some means of supporting themselves to reach greater heights for sunlight and air. They have either tendrils, curling leafstalks or adventitious roots which they use for support. Some of the climbers are actually twiners as they do not have any supporting means but just twine or coil around the support, cover it and reach the top. They need artificial supports. In addition, some shrubs that climb are also called commonly called climbers.
They add beauty, colour in a striking way or fragrance in gardens. They are also used to screen or decorate artificial structures like walls, pergolas, pillars, cascades, trellis or arbours and topiary, etc.
Planting the Climbers
As we all know, Monsoon months are suitable for planting most plants and trees. With the exception of deciduous plants, almost everything can be planted during the spring and monsoon months. In the hills, however, it is better to plant during early monsoon because by September, it starts to get colder at nights, so the planting operation should be carried out by August end. Also it should be remembered that so many of the trees, shrubs or the climbers in the hills are deciduous and should be planted during the winter months when they are dormant.
Soil: Most of the climbers prefer a soil having good drainage. For smaller shrubs or climbers, three ft wide pits and two ft deep pits should be dug up. The soil should be well mixed with 5 to 10 kg of cattle dung manure, 30 gm of Sterilised Bone Meal, half kg of Neem Cake and 10 gm of some soil insecticide like Fenvalerate or Chlorpyriphos dust to check the attack of termites. This dusting must be immediately followed by watering to settle down the soil. If the soil is not having good drainage, then it is important to improve the soil by adding bulky organic matter and large amounts of coarse sand after digging the entire soil up to a depth of four to six ft. This is however not an easy operation.
Selection of Climbers
There are different situations in any garden like sunny, partial shade or shade. In addition, the purpose of planting the climber in any particular situation is also an important factor in deciding a suitable climber.
For Sunny situations: Pyrostegia venusta (Orange flowers-Commonly called Bignonia Venusta), Quisqualis indica (Rangoon Creeper or Jhumka Bel-Flowers white changing to pink and then red), Antigonun leptopus (Coral Vine-Rose pink flowers), Adenocalyma (Pink, mauve or yellow), Bougainvillea sp., Campsis grandiflora (Orange), Allamanda sp.(Yellow,flowers, Thungbergia grandiflora, Bauhinia sp. (Yellowish white), Jasminum Sambac (Mogra), Star Jasmine, Mandevillea (Brazilian Jasmine).
For Partial shade: Clerodendron splendens, (White flowers with Red beads) Petrea volubilis (Purple wreath-purple flowers), Lonicera japonica ( Honey Suckle-White flowers tinged with mauve), Tecomaria capensis (Orange trumpet like flowers), Trachelospermum jasminoides (White star like flowers- Commonly called as Star jasmine), Asparagus plumosa, Ficus pumila, Hedera helix (Ivy), Scindapsus aureus, Philodendron, Monstera deliciosa, Pothos (Money plant) and Synogonium spp. (Foliage Climbers).
For Fragrance: Jasminum grandiflorum (Shahi Chameli-Fragrant White flowers), Jasmine officinale (Spanish jasmine), Trachelospermum jasminoides, Hiptage benghalensis (Madhavi lata), Clematis (many coloured flowers suitable for the Hills and Doon Valley only), Lonicera japonica (Honey Suckle), Stephanotis floribunda (White flowers suitable for hills, Wisteria sinensis (purple flowers- suitable for hills), Passiflora cerulea (Passion Flower-purple or red Flowers).
Heavy Climbers: They produce luxuriant vegetative growth and grow vigorously. They cover a large area and are suitable for covering big walls or terraces. They are required to be pruned to keep them in bounds. The time and method of pruning varies from species to species. Some common heavy climbers are Antigonon leptopus (Coral vine), Bignonia magnifica, Beaumontia grandiflora (Nepal Trumpet- big bell shaped flowers in March- April) , Bougainvillea sp. Hiptage benghalensis, Quisquais indica (Rangoon creeper), Jasminum spp., Wisteria sinensis, Pyrostegia venusta, Thungbergia grandiflora, and Clerodendron splendens.
Light Climbers: They are such climbers that do not grow very vigorously and do not require regular or severe pruning. Some common ones are Allamanda spp., Asparagus plumosa, Bignonia purpurea, Gloriosa superba, Lonicera japonica, Clematis flammula. Tecomeria capensis.
Deciduous Climbers: Deciduous climbers shed their leaves during winter. Some common ones are Antigonon leptopus, Campsis grandiflora, Campsis radicans, Cissus discolour, Clematis sp. Pyrostegia venusta, Jasminum officinale.
Flowering in several flushes during the year: Adenocalymma allicea (pink Mauve or yellow flowers), Ipomea palmate (Railway creeper), Jacquemontia violacea (purple), perugularia odoratissima, Rosa spp. (Climbing Rose), Thungbergia grandiflora, Vallaris heynelli and Trachelosprmum jasminoides.
Climbers for the Hills: Aristolochia macrophylla, Caesalpinia sepiaria, Campsis grandiflora, Clematis flammula, Hedera helix, Lonicera, Trachelospermum Jasminoides, Rosa spp. Wisteria venusta, Stephanotis, Thungbergia alata.
Climbers for pots: Bougainvillea, Thungbergia alata (Black Eyed Susan), Gloriosa, Clitoria ternatea, Pothos, Philodendron, Syngonium, Ivy, Ficus Pumila, Saxifraga.
Annual Climbers: They are seasonal plants and can be grown temporarily in the garden. Sweet Pea (Lathyrus), Trailing Nasturtium, Ipomea lobata, Convolvulus and Clitoria ternatea are commonly grown annual climbers. In the hills, Clemetis is a common annual climber.
Climbers for Indoors: Some shade loving climbers like Pothos (Money Plant), Philodendron, Monstera deliciosa, Asparagus can be easily grown in post and even kept indoors.
Climbers For hedge: Clerodendron inerme, Ficus Pumila and Bougainvillea make good hedges.
Fruit Vines: Grapes can also be grown as climber in home gardens. In addition, seasonal vegetables like Cucumber may also be grown.
Care and Maintenance: After planting the climbers, it may become necessary to train in the first year to have the desired design or growth effect. After planting, regular watering, hoeing, and weeding are necessary to reduce the mortality rate. Deciduous climbers are usually pruned during winter months. While some are pruned in the rainy season, others are pruned just after the flowering. Beaumontia grandiflora and Congea tomentosa can stand severe pruning during the rains. Antigonon is quick growing and flowers for seven to eight months in a year. This should be pruned at least twice every year in March and then September. Thungbergia is pruned after flowering is over. Petrea volubilis does not like heavy pruning. Clerodendron splendens flowers in winter and should be pruned in July. Quisqualis indica requires thorough cleaning and regular pruning. It is pruned low during the winters. Clematis is pruned low during the rains.