A trellis is nothing more than a support for climbing plants and vines, and yet, this simple feature may add year round interest to your garden and landscape as well as provide life and health to various plants. As rustic as chicken wire and as formal as ornate designs of wrought iron, a trellis or a series of trellises may provide a special focal point feature or even mask a blemish of a garden structure. The following article suggests ways to incorporate trellises into the garden as well as various climbing plants and their individual needs.



When choosing a trellis,one you will either buy or make yourself, it must be heavy enough to withstand inclement weather as well as the weight of the growing plant. Large evergreen vines can be quite heavy for example. You also want your trellis to look attractive on its own as it will be quite visible when deciduous woody-stemmed vines are bare of foliage. Consequently, while chicken wire might suffice, it is not particularly formal. Unless your garden is decidedly rustic, you may want to employ a trellis made of weatherproofed wood, aluminum or wrought iron.

A trellis can be placed anywhere in the garden so long as it as a structure to lean against, unless it is a freestanding trellis or actually an arbor. A row of lengthy trellises against a garage wall is a common use. However, they are lovely additions to the front yard garden when leaning against a porch or a portion of the house. Some homeowners prefer trellises and vines to shrubs beside the house because of the charm of climbing plants and vines is unmistakable. Another successful use of a trellis is as a boundary-creator of various sections of the garden. For example, a trellis system of grapevine is a delightful way to divide a flat space between a vegetable patch and herbal garden for example.

When considering vines to compliment your trellis, there are many to choose from. Most climbing plants do well even withstanding a variety of conditions. As their weakness lies in self-support, once you provide the trellis, it is likely to thrive so much so that pruning will be a part of your routine maintenance to keep your feature looking neat and well kept. Climbing plants can transform a bare flat space and add charm to old structures as they bring your garden to great heights across the landscape.

Bougainvillea peaks during the summer as its pink, purple, red, white or magenta blooms rival other growth for sheer beauty. An evergreen shrub, they are an aggressive grower that require moderate to dense shade. In mild climates blooms may appear from spring through fall.

Wisteria, with its fragrant spring flower clusters of lavender, pink or white also provides some shade later in the growing season. Wisteria grows best in sunny locations with some protection from wind. A well-drained loamy soil makes for an ideal growing condition for this traditionally planted climber.

Climbing hydrangea is a wonderful choice for covering large expanses of brick or stone. Its beautiful flower clusters are prized by gardeners and plant enthusiasts who frequently dry the blooms for indoor use as decorations. Full sun is best, but these plants will tolerate partial shade. Once established, it is even willing to tolerate dry conditions.

Creeping fig is an excellent choice for masonry surfaces with its clinging vines and crossing stems. It requires a moist, well-drained soil and full sun partial shade may be fine for this plant too.

Trumpet creeper vine is a superb choice for a pretty trellis in the front yard. Its trumpet-shaped funnels of red and orange will delight garden visitors by midsummer. Full sun and rich well-drained soil for these beauties of the plant world.

Cup and saucer vine is a lavender or violet blooming vine that is perfectly adaptable to any garden trellis. A dense vine, it generally sports its blooms from early summer to the middle of fall. Moist, well-drained soil and full sunlight for this lovely garden vine.

Other delightful vines to consider for your garden trellis include: vining roses, royal trumpet vine, common white jasmine, vine lilac, wax plant, morning glory, trailing lantana, woodbine honeysuckle, red passionflower and ivy geranium.

Choose a plant that is ideal for the location of your trellis. If a plant requires full sun, it will never thrive in full shade. Trellises and climbing plant add vertical interest to any garden and landscape. They often provide year-round interest and will likely captivate family and friends who visit your garden. Keep in mind that your trellis need not be very tall, even garden benches with lattice panels make extraordinary trellises quite low to the ground. Likewise, employ short trellises near your patio for additional accents with lots of visual character.