Training honeysuckle up a metal column?

[nellie923]

I want my honeysuckle to wind around a metal-wrapped column on my front porch, but I can't figure out how to get it to stay in place. So far, I have tried using twine to hold the branches onto the column, but I don't think that is a sustainable, long term solution. Is there such a thing as a flexible trellis that could go around the column and give the plant something to stick to? It is growing rapidly, so each day I have to go out and tie it down. i was thinking something like stick-on hooks might work? Or perhaps this is just not a good idea (I have quite a few of those...) Thanks.

 

[DiggersJo]

Never tried it, but done similar. Piano, piano (slowly, slowly), it takes time, but temporary structure/twine I would have thought will train the plant to bend and eventually stay in place without the support. Big problem I've always found is the plants desire to grow towards the sun.

 

[cpp gardener]

You could try wrapping the column with chicken wire and tying the stems to the wire.

 

[nellie923]

Thanks. I thought about that. If fact, I was perusing the various options at the hardware store just yesterday. I guess I could paint it white to keep it from being too obtrusive?