- Working Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Skill Level: Kid-friendly
A plant climbing frame doesn’t just do the important job of supporting your vining plants—it also gives your garden a dramatic hit of natural sculpture. Our version can be easily made in less than an hour. Two pots with gravel between them make for a tight and secure place to hold willow branches. Just weave the tops of the branches together, and you’ll have a beautiful dome that climbing plants will love.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Pruners
Materials
- Crushed pea gravel
- 11-inch pot
- 9-inch pot
- 7 curly willow branches
- Soil
- Vining plant
- Plant ties
Instructions
Prep the Pot
To start this project, add a few inches of pea gravel to the larger pot. Set the smaller pot inside the larger pot, making sure the smaller pot rests about an inch below the rim of the larger pot.
Add Branches and Secure
Add 6 to 8 branches, placing the thicker end of each branch between the outer and inner pot. Space the branches out evenly around the smaller pot. Once the branches are placed, add gravel, filling in the gap between the two pots to secure the branches.
Shape and Weave Branches
Trim any straggling twigs coming off the branches. Cross two opposite branches and wrap them around each other. Continue with all branches; weave into existing crossing branches. Trim extra lengths sticking out at the top of the branches for a cleaner finish.
Plant in the Smaller Pot
Fill the smaller pot about three-quarters full with good potting soil. Plant a small-scale vining plant, like a sweet pea or jasmine, in the soil. Give the plant a good watering and watch it grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do I find curly willow branches?
Many crafts shops and even some floral design shops carry curly willow branches, often sold in bundles, that you can use for this project.
- What kinds of plants grow best on this climbing frame?
Any vining plant that is compact enough to thrive in a container will do well with a climbing frame, from edible plants like cucumbers to annual and perennial flowering vines.
- How do I train a vining plant to grow along the frame?
As the plant grows larger and longer, wrap vines around the willow branches. Secure stems with plant ties as needed.
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- <span>Garden Design</span>
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