The best method of ensuring that a climbing plant forms an attractive, well-balanced shape is to follow a schedule of formative pruning during the plant's early years. This will promote vigorous growth of healthy wood that may be trained over and across a suitable support to create a pleasing shape. The young, pliable stems may also be tied laterally and pruned to encourage budding from side shoots.

First Year of Growth

In the spring of the plant's first year of growth, concentrate on tying in the strongest shoots to the support to create a well-balanced framework. Young stems and tendrils should be encouraged to attach themselves to the correct position on the support; it is almost impossible to move them without causing damage once they have thickened and matured.

Second Year of Growth

The following spring, once the risk of severe frost has passed, cut back each side shoot to a point just above a bud near the main stem. Secure the newly pruned shoots to the support. Several strong shoots will grow from each of these stems during the following season, which will begin to form the plant's framework. Tie these in to the support as they develop.

Third Year of Growth

The following spring, cut back each stem to a bud that is pointing in the direction in which the stem is to be trained. This will ensure that the shoots branch out and create better coverage of the support. Tie in all the stems and cut back other new shoots to within two buds of the nearest stem.