Posted on Friday, April 25, 2025

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by AMAC, D.J. Wilson

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An inviting garden element

A garden trellis is a prominent architectural structure made of a framework and intersecting patterns to support or display climbing plants. They can be built or assembled using a variety of materials such as wood, metal, or heavy-duty plastic. These delightful garden features can be freestanding or be attached to a foundation, wall or fence. Once they are secured, vines and other climbing plants are placed at the base. Adding a garden trellis is an excellent way to boost garden practicality and aesthetics.

Types of Trellises

Trellises are typically broken down into three main categories: Arched, panel, or obelisk. An arched trellis is free-standing and allows plants to climb overhead. A panel is a flat structure that can be stuck into the ground or attached to a wall. An obelisk is typically a pyramid shape that serves as a garden centerpiece.

Serving countless purposes

Trellises have multiple uses. For instance, a garden arched trellis can provide a welcoming entryway into a garden – not only showcasing the entrance but dressing it up. In other examples, an expansive trellis with ground anchors can serve as a structure to dine under and a series of panels can deliver privacy from neighbors or be a shield from undesirable views. Trellises can support decorative plants or edible fruit or vegetable growths such as grapes, tomatoes or cucumber. What people choose depends on the intended purpose.

Beneficial for plants

Trellises help plants grow by giving them space to expand, improving air circulation, upping sunlight exposure, reducing the risk of disease and pests, and making harvesting fast and efficient. So, they are win-win for the garden!

Pricing varies

Price points for trellises differ significantly depending upon design, style, size, materials, durability, prefabrication vs. custom, and other factors related to assembly and quality. Per Home Advisor, a trellis costs between $60 and $350 per foot, with most people paying around $200 per linear foot, including installation. Larger trellises are typically more expensive than smaller ones. Inexpensive flat panel trellises that are staked into the ground or secured to a wall are frequently cheaper and easy to install. Simple petite garden trellises that rest on the ground also provide easy set up and another low-cost option.

Creating a DIY Trellis

For those who enjoy projects, creating a DIY trellis can be a rewarding experience. If you’re not into building a trellis from scratch, pre-manufactured ones are available for purchase on online sites such as Amazon or through home improvement stores. Some trellises require professional assembly.

Designs vary

Trellis designs range in features. Some come with planters at the base or have other unique elements such as attached birdbaths, rust-proof pots, decorative art ornaments such as dragonflies, specialty columns, lattice work, or pillars. Since trellises will expectedly hold the weight of plantings, sturdiness and quality are essential.

Trellis-friendly decorative plants

What one plants and grows on a trellis depends upon numerous factors including the region in which one lives. Check the hardiness zone, a factor relevant to the survival of plants and based on average annual minimum temperature. Also consider sunlight, rainfall, drainage, soil quality, and other independent factors that may influence the success of trellis plants, particularly those which are planted in the ground and in a fixed location.  

Best trellis plants  

The best flowering plants to consider for a trellis include but are not limited to:

• Vining roses – These pretty-petaled garden favorites add character, beauty, and delicate scents to a sunny garden location.
• Clematis – This climbing vine with jewel-toned flowers grows upright by hooking or wrapping leaf stems around narrow objects.
• Climbing hydrangeas – This dramatic flowering plant clings with aerial roots that enable them to easily attach to structures and reach their full potential.
• Honeysuckle – Whether you choose peachy yellow or another pretty shade, honeysuckles are optimal fast-growing plants that are bound to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Sweet peas – A trellis is ideal for this plant’s curling tendrils and clusters of flowers that need shoring up.
• Morning glories – These attractive flowers come in a variety of colors and require a sturdy structure for growth maximization.
• Jasmine – These cheery and vibrant flowers will stay in bloom for several weeks and make excellent showy trellis plants.
• Mandevilla – These stunning garden gems with trumpet-like flowers and lush tropical foliage require sturdy structure to peak.

Top-notch gardening  

Garden trellises combine unparalleled aesthetics and practicality. Namely, these vertical growth features support climbing plants to maximize plant health, attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, increase or delineate garden space, offer privacy, and make delightful focal points to expand the beauty of one’s garden. If you’re looking to enhance garden appeal this spring or summer, add an attractive outdoor trellis to benefit vine-rich and flower-forward plants.

For newbies: Considering gardening as a hobby? Here are the right tools you’ll need.