Our Tips for Beautiful Obelisks
Obelisks can be used to great effect in any garden, especially when you want to add height to your border or create impact at a doorway.
Read our expert blog to discover how to choose the best obelisk for your garden, the right plants to grow on an obelisk and how to plant them - some great ideas to help you make sure your obelisk is a great investment that you will enjoy for years to come!
Why buy an obelisk?
An obelisk is not looks great in any garden, it is also one of the most versatile and can serve a practical purpose.
An Obelisk can be used for supporting permanent climbing plants such as roses or clematis, moved around the garden as needed for climbing annuals such as Sweet Peas or climbing beans or in its own right as dramatic focal point in a garden to draw the eye upwards, making the space feel larger. Whether for function or decoration, an obelisk is a quick and easy way to make impact and elevate your planting scheme - literally!
Choose a robust and long lasting Obelisk
An obelisk is a great decorative and functional addition to your garden but you need to ensure that you choose one that is robust enough to withstand weather and carry the weight of your chosen planting as it matures. An Agriframes obelisk is manufactured with robust galvanised steel that can withstand the elements and will last longer than wooden garden obelisks. The construction of the obelisk offers both strength and a framework for plants to attach themselves and allows you to tie them in to maintain a good shape and protect from damage in wind and rain - Not only will an Agriframes obelisk stand the test of time, it will also keep your climbing plants stable in bad weather and looking beautiful in your garden all year round.
Where should I position an Obelisk?
When it comes to growing plants on an obelisk, there are a few key things to consider in order to create the ideal environment for healthy growing.
You should allow enough space around your obelisk for your planting to mature and also for you to reach it for deadheading and tying in or pruning.
The surrounding soil should also be nutrient-rich and well drained soil to ensure the plant receives the necessary nutrients to put on substantial growth and doesn’t become waterlogged.
Place your obelisk in an area that receives as much sunlight as possible - most plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to do really well.
Try to avoid placing your obelisk in a very exposed spot - a fully covered obelisk can be vulnerable to damage or disturbance by wind - adding ground anchors can help stabilise the structure.
By following these simple steps you plants should flourish and make your obelisk really eye-catching addition to your outdoor space.
Choose plants that have a naturally upward growing habit
When it comes to picking plants for your garden, it’s important to consider not just their appearance, but also their growth habits. Plants that sprawl outwards can quickly overtake a space, leaving little room for other planting to thrive and losing the vertical visual impact. Many plants, such as climbing roses, can be trained to grow up garden obelisks or a garden trellis without taking up too much ground space.
Don't’ forget climbing edibles such as such beans or peas which can be incorporated into your border by growing on an obelisk - even if you don’t have a dedicated Kitchen Garden you can still join the current trend for ‘Edimentals’ - plants which are both good to look at and to eat!
Consider planting climbers which will flower or fruit in succession to give you colour throughout the season - With careful plant choice you can create maximum impact even in a small space.
Choose plants for interesting foliage as well as flower
When it comes to getting best value from climbing plants it is worth thinking about the interest that foliage can add as well as the more traditional colourful blooms which can add texture and dimension to your obelisk even outside - try variegated and evergreen climbers for a sophisticated look. There is a huge choice when it comes to choosing your climber - consider colour scheme, scale of flowers, vigour of plant to match your personal style and size of the space available.
Traditional favourites are climbing roses, clematis, jasmine or honeysuckle but if you have a sheltered spot you may like some more exotic ideas and bougainvillea, trumpet vine, and passion flower all look fabulous grown on an obelisk where you can really showcase their spectacular flowers - or maybe try a Kiwi if you’d like to enjoy the fruits of your labour!
Maximise your space in the Kitchen Garden
Using Obelisks and plant supports in the Kitchen Garden can maximise your growing space and hugely increase your crop even on a small plot - cucumbers, beans, peas and squash will produce an abundant harvest while also adding interest to your garden. Additionally, climbing and fragrant flowers such as sweet peas provide a pop of colour and are a delight to cut for the house - the more you pick the more they flower!
What Fast growing climbers are to to grow on an obelisk
If you want to cover your obelisk quickly you can’t go wrong with sweet peas, morning glories, or clematis. Sweet peas create a fabulous column of colour with the added bonus of a lovely fragrance that will fill the garden - choose from an array of colours and their vigorous growth will quickly cover your obelisk.
Morning glories are another great option, with their heart-shaped leaves and colourful trumpet-shaped flowers - easy to grow from seeds they thrive in a sheltered location with full sun.
Lastly, clematis can climb up to 20 feet tall with varieties that flower from spring until late autumn - the montana varieties are the most vigorous and will easily cover an obelisk in one season giving a cascade of pink or white flowers in early summer.
Can you put an obelisk in a Planter?
Obelisks work very well on large planters and can really expand your options for container growing in a terrace or doorway.
Make sure the planter is large enough to support the obelisk’s weight deep enough to hold it securely
Should I plant inside or outside of the Obelisk?
The answer is either! - Ultimately it will depend on personal preference and the types of plants being used.
Planting inside an obelisk can create a striking focal point, especially when using climbing plants that can be trained to grow up and around the structure and is also a good way to help contain plants such as roses and encourage them to develop vertically.
Planting outside of the base of the obelisk can create a more natural look and allow for several varieties to be included in the display with the main stems being tied in to the structure to maintain the vertical form.
An Obelisk makes a great centre piece in your garden as well as providing valuable support to a wide varieties of plants - Agriframes range is sure to have an options for all tastes and gardens.
