Here is what we do to effectively cage the various integrifolias we have:

ANTI-FLOPPING CAGES we make for PEONIES,TALL PERENNIALS, AND CLEMATIS INTEGRIFOLIA

We have over 120 peonies in our gardens, so we choose to make our own cages. here's what we devised:

1)we buy the tallest 4-ring tomato cages and cut them w/ wire cutters or bolt cutters just ABOVE the lowest smallest horizontal ring. (This height may vary; you cut them to suit the ultimate height of your caged plant.)

2)We cut squares of 2" grid wire fencing big enough to just fit over the circle of the top rung on the tomato cage. Then we bend/secure the 4 corners of the fencing square over/around that same top ring of the tomato cage.

3)We place this support over the plant and push down the tomato cage's long feet until the bottom rung rests on the ground.Early in the plant's season, you often have to help weave the plant stems up through the square holes of the fencing. we also use these cages for other perennials that flop- like clematis integrifolia, veronicastrum, cimicifuga and eupatorium.

The short,narrow cage that is left after you've cut off the bottom of the tall cage- you can use for veronica crater lake blue, nepeta,or any shorter sloppy perennials, to keep them from flopping.

For Clematis Vines that are not TOO huge-growing, we use the same tallest tomato cages, but this time, we turn the cages on their heads- over the clematis crown. and then we use staples and/or stakes to pin down the cages. For the top of the obelisk, we gather the legs together through a washer or bolt or some decorative ball with a hole drilled through it.

The cages eventually rust, blend in with the ground, and are hidden in foliage. This technique makes for a nice cheap obelisk for places where you want your attention to be on the flowers and not the architecture of the obelisk.

best,

Mindy