Obelisks add vertical drama to gardens, but choosing the right plants ensures a thriving, eye-catching display. At AgriFrames, we’ve tested countless climbers on our handmade steel obelisks. Here’s what works best—and how to avoid common pitfalls
Why buy an Obelisk?
An obelisk is not only an aesthetically pleasing feature in any garden, it is also one of the most versatile additions to your garden and can serve a practical purpose.
An obelisk can be used to support permanent climbing plants such as roses or clematis.
It can be moved around the garden as needed for climbing annuals such as Sweet Peas or climbing beans.
Or used 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
Top plants for obelisks
1. Clematis
The ‘Queen of Climbers’ thrives on obelisks. Try these varieties:
‘Montana’: Fast-growing, ideal for quick coverage.
‘Nelly Moser’: Shade-tolerant with pink blooms.
Pro Tip: "Plant roots in shade and let stems climb into sun for best results."
2. Climbing Roses
For classic elegance, pair our rose obelisks with:
‘New Dawn’: Repeat-flowering, disease-resistant.
‘Zéphirine Drouhin’: Thornless, perfect for pathways.
3. Sweet Peas
Annuals like sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) add fragrance and speed. Sow in April for summer-long color.
Where should I position an Obelisk?
When it comes to growing plants on an obelisk, there are a few key conditions that should be considered in order to create the ideal environment for growth.
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.
Climbing plants for obelisks
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 without taking up too much ground space.
When it comes to picking garden obelisk plants, it’s important to consider not just their appearance, but also their growth habits. Plants that sprawl outwards can quickly overtake a space. This leaves 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.
Things to consider when choosing plants for an obelisk
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.
Consider planting obelisk 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
Try variegated and evergreen climbers for a sophisticated look.
Consider colour scheme, scale of flowers, vigour of plant to match your personal style and size of the space available.
Traditional favorites - Garden Obelisk Plants
These include: 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!
Vegetables to grow using an obelisk
Using Obelisks and plant supports to grow your crop even on a small plot. You can plant:
Cucumbers,
Beans,
Peas
Squash
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.
