How to Plant Climbing Vines

Select an appropriate location for your desired climbing vine. For example, some vines prefer sun while others prefer shade. Do research on the vine's sun or shade needs before planting it.

Install a climbing feature in the garden, if necessary. While you can allow vines to grow up the sides of brick walls, accents such as trellises and arches lend more visual interest to the garden and can provide a privacy screen between a neighbor's house or near a hot tub or pool area. Ensure that the climbing features is adequately planted in the ground; mature vines can be quite heavy.

Dig an appropriately sized hole and plant the climbing vine according to depth and suggested location listed on the tag that comes with the plant. Exact planting directions vary from species to species.

Add supports near the bottom of the plant, to help train the bottom branches to grow up the climbing feature. This helps the base of the plant become thick and woody.

Water the new plant according to the nursery's suggestions. Exact watering depends upon the variety of vine, location where it was planted, and the weather.

Prune back half to two-thirds of the last year's growth, each year. Remove dead branches and horizontally running shoots as needed to keep the basic shape to your preferences. Prune spring-blooming vines after they produce flowers; prune summer-blooming vines in the late winter or early spring.

Train new growth to where you want it, or it may fall off the support.