Clematis Swag - what thickness of rope?

I'd like to create a clematis swag. The posts are 6ft high (above the ground) and 600ml in diameter. What thickness of rope ought I buy?

(I'm guessing it doesn't need to be as thick as the rope used for roses. I've never actually seen a clematis swag )

 

What the devil is a Clematis Swag when it`s at home?

 

Like a rose swag but using clematis instead :D
(I'd love a rose one but my garden is too small).

 

Come on Dai this is your kind of thing, a rope suspended between posts, with a plant growing along it?

Not come across a 600ml post before though?

 

Doh! I mean 600mm

That's exactly it - posts with ropes suspended between them. My posts are spaced roughly 6ft apart.

 

600mm in diameter???

Thats 2ft, 24 inches?

 

I think one wants to know how thick the rope between the posts should be in order to support the weight of the clematis once it has grown along it........lol

 

Just wondered with thickness of rope I'll need. I don't want anything too thick as my posts aren't as thick as those typically used for roses. But then again I need something that will adequately support the clematis.

 

Rope swags!


Mithril- (Brilliant name, are you looking forward to the film?!)

18-24mm sisal/hemp will be fine for a rose/ clematis swag.
32 is big, but also acceptable. By the time you're getting toward 60mm, its the kind of stuff you need for mooring boats or rigging massive theatre scenery! Clematis doesnt require that level of support.

60mm rope is HEAVY, remember you'll probably be threading it wet or damp. That size rope will be a faff to thread through fence post holes, and there will be shrinkage. Plus the fence posts will be at risk of being pulled over by the weight of the rope plus the weight of the plant and the action of the wind/ rain.

I say go smaller, but if aesthetically you want 60 mm- get some help putting it up!

If you're going the natural fibre route, dont forget to allow for shrinkage in your length measurements- and pre-soak and treat it before you use it!

 

Thanks Melinda that's very helpful - lovely photo of swags you've found too

I think I'll go for as thin as I dare with my garden and post size. So, next on the shopping list is some 18mm rope!

Oh, and I am looking forward to the film :D

 

Keep in touch Mithril. I'm interested to see how you go about it, and how it all turns out!
It'll be terribly pretty!