Vines, the right way!

I recently visited the campus of Colorado State University and came across this relatively new hardscape/planting.  I was pleased to see the perfect pairing of support to plant.  This young wisteria vine, Wisteria sinensis, will continue to develop and form a massive, woody structure.  The arbor — although it looks like wood from a distance — is actually welded steel (with a powder-coat paint finish).  It will be a durable partner to this vine for years to come.  This type of heavy-duty construction would also be best for the ever popular trumpet vine, Campsis radicans, and even grapes.

A lighter weight vine gives you more options when you're selecting supports.  Here is Kintzley's Ghost honeysuckle vine, Lonicera reticulata 'Kintzley's Ghost', three ways:

This is another example of a heavy-duty arbor (at Denver Botanic Gardens);  it's a bit more traditional/formal  in style, and higher maintenance, too.

Same plant, also at Denver Botanic Gardens, on a highly decorative and lighter weight metal structure created by Denver's 23rd Avenue Sculpture Studio.

A lath-type trellis is also an option for a light weight vine.

If you want to keep your wall or fence free of plant material, but still want a vertical accent, consider a pillar type of structure:

Matching the appropriate support — both in strength and style — to the vine you wish to grow, is just one of the many details that will make your garden function beautifully.