Toy from Childhood Reveals Surprising Clematis Growth: Quick and Impressive Results Recounted with £12 Item from Past
**News Article: DIY Slinky Support Transforms Clematis Display**
In a creative twist, gardening enthusiasts are embracing an unconventional plant support for their clematis plants - the Slinky toy. Sophie King, the newly appointed Gardens Editor at a popular platform, recently shared her experience with this innovative gardening hack.
King used a Slinky, specifically the WOW! STUFF Super-Size Metal Spring Toy from Amazon, as a support for a clematis plant. She chose the variety 'Clematis 'Zara' from Crocus, which has shown fast climbing and lush foliage coverage that neatly wraps around the circular springs, creating a striking 3D effect.
The Slinky was mounted vertically on a wooden post, such as the Incised Timber Fence Post from Wickes, using screw eyes for stability. The circular shape of the Slinky allows the plant to grow in a lush cylindrical mass that looks attractive and supports the vine well.
Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express, recommends the clematis variety 'Clematis 'Piilu', which is also suitable for this unconventional support system. He notes that 'Clematis 'Piilu's first flowers grow on old stems from last year, and the second round comes from new growth.
When it comes to growing location, choose a spot with good vertical space where clematis can climb freely on the Slinky or other supports like trellises or fences. Clematis roots prefer well-drained soil enriched with organic matter such as compost or manure, and may benefit from lime if soil is acidic. Plant the clematis with the crown 2-3 inches below soil surface, and stake the young vine until it can climb the Slinky or permanent support on its own.
Pruning depends on the type of clematis. Varieties blooming on last year’s wood require careful pruning to avoid cutting off next season’s flowers, while varieties blooming on current season’s growth can be pruned back in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth and prolong blooming. Regular pruning promotes vigorous growth and repeat flowering; follow specific pruning instructions for your chosen variety.
This method is praised for being a budget-friendly, visually interesting, and effective support system for clematis, especially for varieties like ‘Zara’ that climb quickly and hold well to the spring coils. King, however, notes that the only change she would make if given the chance is to make the wooden support shorter to hide the Slinky completely.
With this knowledge, you can create an effective, eye-catching clematis display using a Slinky as a unique support system. Other beginner-friendly varieties suited to vertical supports include Clematis montana, Nelly Moser, viticella, and Jackmanii. Happy gardening!
This innovation in gardening incorporates using a Slinky toy as an unconventional plant support, particularly for clematis plants, as demonstrated by Sophie King with the variety 'Clematis 'Zara'. For a similar effect, Chris Bonnett recommends the variety 'Clematis 'Piilu', another suitable choice for such support systems.
