Just take that dull tree trunk in the garden. The addition of Hydrangea petiolaris climbing up the trunk turns it into a flower packed summer feature. Lead the new shoots of a big rambling rose like ‘Bobby James’ or ‘Wedding Day’ up into the crown of the tree and you will be treated to great tumbling showers of delicious roses. As your rose gets established its big hook-like thorns will anchor it firmly in the tree.

Planting near any tree is quite simple, just avoid the drip line. This is an imaginary line on the ground level with the reach of the widest branches. It is called this because it is where water drips down off the tree’s foliage and the tree’s roots tend to congregate. Plant inside it so that your new plant has less competition for food and water. Extra watering during dry periods will pay huge dividends in the amount of time your climber takes to establish.

Another trick to know is to always plant any companion on the shady side of its host as it will naturally find its way to the lightest spot. Take advantage of this and your plant will naturally thread its way through its host with no hard work needed from you.

A good planting compost is another important factor. Look out for the brand new Hillier Shrub and Tree Planting Compost a little later in the season. This is our very own recipe designed to get your plants off to the best possible start. Mix your planting compost into the soil surrounding the plant and add some Start or Rootgrow to the hole and then plant.

Roses also make perfect host plants; how often have you seen a stunning rose round the door of a cottage just topped off with a glorious Clematis. Double clematis are fabulous for this; the best ones are ‘Proteus’, ‘Louise Rowe’, ‘Piilu’ and ‘Crystal Fountain’.

Clematis macropetala

Later the viticella types make great companions to flower in late summer. As they grow and flower all in one season you cut them hard back in February and then let them thread their way through the foliage. There are so many to choose from but ‘Prince Charles’, ‘Polish Spirit’, ‘Purpurea Plena Elegans’ and ‘Romantika’ are all superb varieties.

If you have lots of space Clematis montana and its varieties are brilliant. Great growers and sure fire flowerers! Clematis m. ‘Freda’ is stunning or your could mix a pink and a white Montana together up one tree or even try either through a plum foliaged prunus.

If you have less space choose the super-hardy, extra early alpinas and macropetalas. They have the most gorgeous, fairy-like, nodding, single or double flowers in shades of iridescent pinks, blues and whites – really magical!

Lonicera and Wisteria are both fabulous host plants. You can either plan to have choose a companion to flower at the same time for maximum impact or stagger its flowering time for the longest season of interest.

The richly scented flowers of the honeysuckle are fabulous intertwined with scented roses like the delicious R. ‘Gertrude Jekyll’. Purple wisteria is glorious mixed with the classic primrose-yellow Rosa banksia ‘Lutea’. Try mixing a David Austin climbing rose such as ‘The Pilgrim’ with the scented flowers of Wisteria or Clematis Perle d’Azur with the creamy, rice pudding coloured Rosa ‘Mme Alfred Carriere’.

Rosa Gertrude Jekyl

Don’t despair if your garden is only a patch of earth, you can use annual climbers to make quite an impact in your first year of gardening. Cobaea scandens, the cup and saucer plant or Ipomoea tricolor, morning glory, make quick growing splashes of colour or if all else fails just plant a mixed handful of sweet pea seeds for fantastic scented blooms.

If you like the idea of companion planting but would like some more information and inspiration why not come along to our Climbers, Clematis and Companion Talks at the garden centres during April and May. Our experts will guide you through choosing, siting and planting climbers and inspire you with great combinations.

If you can’t make it to one of our talks there is another solution, just pick up the Hillier Gardeners’ Guides – Climbers and Wall Plants by Philippa Bensley. All the answers you are looking for are there and now for just £9.99.