I have a 2-sided pergola made of wood lattice, attached to a deck.
Each pergola side has 3 graduated height panels and I have a total of 5 Clematis plants (3 Jackmanii, Comtesse de Bouchaud and Ernest Markham) growing on the exterior sides of the pergola.
I use small garden clips (a wonderful invention) to train the vines as they grow but am limited to 6 feet height for safety reasons (I'm an 80 y.o. widow living alone). The pergola is not solid enough to set a ladder against it.
After growing 6 feet, the subsequent unattached vines tend to fall over in masses and we don't get to appreciate the beauty of single blooms. Sometimes, some manage to creep through to the deck side for an additional show (wonderful surprise).
I would like to hear what you think of my two potential solutions:
1. Attach eyelet screws to the tops of the pergola, spaced out, with lengths of string falling down the exterior sides of the pergola, with the hope that the vines will attach themselves to them. Should I use twine instead, or fishing line? And should they be free flowing or anchored at the bottom?
2. Same principle as above, but using garden netting.
Or if you have other suggestions, I would greatly appreciate hearing about them.
