Garden structures and supports are necessary for maintaining the healthy growth of certain plants, but they can also add significant aesthetic value! Here’s an overview of all the best plant supports and how to use them properly.
Most plants can stand on their own and will grow tall and strong without the need for supports or scaffolding. However, other plants need something to hold them upright or may need a structure to cling to as they spread and climb.
Vining plants are an example of garden plants that need structural support—if they don’t have something to hold onto, they’ll grow in a big clump. If they remain on the ground, they can pile up in the soil, which creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and pathogens.
If you’re unsure if any of your chosen garden plants will require support, feel free to call us at Royal City Nursery, and we can provide some suggestions.
There are loads of options to choose from when looking for garden plant supports. Some are purely for function, and others are actually quite beautiful! Here are six common structural supports you can find at the garden centre.
Remember: It’s important to sanitize your plant supports before installation, especially if you’re using them for a second year! Pathogens and viral spores can linger on your equipment over the winter and potentially infect your young, vulnerable plants. Use bleach or a vinegar solution to wash them thoroughly.
Stakes are basically just sturdy sticks you insert into the soil near your plant. They’re less helpful for creeping vines but more useful for tall, top-heavy plants or indeterminate tomatoes that flop over. Try to insert your stake into the soil a few inches away from the main stem to avoid damaging the roots. Alternatively, you can add your stakes closer to the plant while it is still immature and the roots aren’t very developed.
Secure your plant’s main stem to the stake by loosely tying some twine around them. Don’t tie it tightly, as this could injure the plant or interfere with proper growth. Some plants may require two stakes—one on either side of the main stem.
Trellises are panels of lattice that vining plants can cling to and climb. Some plants will naturally climb your trellis, while others may need you to train them up and around it. They’re available for purchase in various sizes, and which one you choose will depend on your plants’ sizes and growth habits. Lattice patio dividers can also function as a trellis.
Yes, even fences can provide structural support for your plants! If you don’t like the look of your chain link fence, adding some vining plants can help cover the plain metal with beautiful greenery and colourful flowers. Wooden fences with narrow posts can also work—you may just need to train your vines to twist around them manually.
Tomato cages are most often used for tomatoes but are also helpful for vining vegetables like cucumbers and squash. They typically are made from 3 metal or plastic stakes, with three rings in graduated sizes that you can adjust and align. Press the stakes of your tomato cage into the soil around your plant, and each ring in the cage will help support branches and vines as your plant grows taller.
Obelisks look like towers that taper at the top—sometimes cylindrical, sometimes pyramid-shaped. They are absolutely stunning when covered in vining flowers!
Just like the kind you see at wedding ceremonies, arbours are archways with rungs like a ladder. You can train vining plants to grow up and around them, creating a lush, leafy entryway that’s romantic and dreamy. They’re perfect for installing at your garden’s entrance along a path.
If you’re looking to buy garden structures in Guelph so your plants have the support they need to grow big and lush, visit Royal City Nursery to see all our available options. If you’re having trouble deciding which support to choose for your plants, our experts will be happy to point you in the right direction!
