Quick summary: Horticultural experts warn that tying climbing plants straight upwards restricts their flowering potential by forcing energy into leafy growth rather than blossoms. By shifting towards horizontal stem training during late spring when the growth is still flexible, gardeners can stimulate abundant flowering shoots along the entire stem for a significantly fuller display. These findings carry important implications for individual well being and community public health policy, as implementing accessible gardening techniques directly enhances the therapeutic quality of green spaces to reduce stress and foster mental health benefits.
Many gardeners spend spring securing climbing plants and roses vertically to keep things tidy, but experts say this common habit may be limiting flowering potential.
Noah Mabey, Senior Gardener at Thornbridge Hall and Horticultural Advisor to Platinum Spas, recommends training stems horizontally instead, a technique that can dramatically increase blooms throughout the summer months.
“A lot of gardeners naturally tie climbing plants straight upwards, but this often encourages the plant to focus on producing long, leafy stems rather than flowers,” said Mabey. “By gently training stems more horizontally, you encourage the plant to produce flowering shoots all along the stem instead, which creates a much fuller display.”
Why horizontal training boosts flowering
The science behind the method is straightforward. Plants naturally direct most of their energy towards the tip of a vertically growing stem. Repositioning stems sideways disrupts this pattern and promotes the development of more side shoots, each potentially producing flowers.
“Instead of putting all their energy into growing taller, the plant starts producing side shoots along the stem, and those are what carry the flowers,” Mabey explained. “It’s a really simple technique, but it can completely change how climbing plants look later in the season.”
The method proves especially effective for climbing roses, rambling roses, honeysuckle, and wisteria.
Act now while stems are still flexible
Late May and early June offer the ideal window for training, as fresh growth remains soft and pliable.
“This is the perfect time to tie in new growth because stems are still soft and easy to shape. Later in the season, stems begin to harden and become far more difficult to train without snapping,” Mabey said. “Training stems now also helps protect plants from wind damage later in summer, particularly with climbing roses and wall-trained plants.”
Key may tasks for climbers
Mabey recommends gardeners focus on several actions this month
- Tie in climbing and rambling rose stems before winds cause damage
- Train stems horizontally where possible to direct energy towards flower production
- Untuck stems that have started growing behind support wires
- Secure new growth while stems remain flexible
- Continue deadheading spring flowers to encourage repeat blooming
“It’s much easier to guide plants into the shape you want now rather than later in summer when stems become long, woody, and harder to manage,” Mabey noted.
Beyond blooms
Horizontal training also produces more balanced, visually appealing plants that better cover supports such as walls, fences, pergolas, and obelisks, offering greater privacy and aesthetic impact in garden spaces. Well-trained climbers can also enhance areas around patios, seating, and hot tubs with fragrance and colour.
The technique requires no specialist equipment. Soft garden twine, ties, or clips are sufficient, though gardeners should take care not to tie stems too tightly, as this can restrict growth or cause damage as stems thicken.
Thornbridge Hall in the Peak District, where Mabey oversees the gardens, is an RHS Partner Garden that demonstrates these principles in its renowned displays. For further seasonal advice, Platinum Spas Hot Tubs offers a Month-By-Month Gardening Guide with additional practical tips.