14 Trellis Ideas That Will Add Beauty and Interest to Your Garden (2024)

14 Trellis Ideas That Will Add Beauty and Interest to Your Garden (1)

Whether your garden style is cottagecore, Mediterranean, Victorian-inspired, or anything in-between, a trellis is both a practical and pretty addition to any aesthetic. A trellis can enhance your garden design by screening a view, adding privacy to a seating area, or providing support for climbing plants such as flowering vines and roses. A trellis can be a focal point, too, to add perspective, depth and drama to your garden’s views.

There are no rules when it comes to materials: A trellis can be constructed from metal, wood, bamboo or even found materials such as birch trunks tied together to form a garden tuteur, or tower. It may be a flat panel or several connected panels, or it may take on the form of an arch or pergola with a trellis attached to each side.

While a trellis often is used for perennials such as clematis or annuals such as morning glories, it can also support climbing vegetables such as beans, squash, and cucumbers. Oftentimes, it does not support any plant but simply draws the eye as an architectural accent. A trellis also works in a container garden.

Ahead, our favorite trellis ideas for any style garden, plus where to find these looks for your own garden:

1

Ivy-Covered Trellis

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Ivy is trained onto an iron wall-mounted trellis. The design transforms an unsightly bare wall into a fabulous design suitable for traditional or English-style gardens.

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2

Window Box Trellis

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A window box becomes an eye-catching accent when it's backed with a simple wooden trellis. The contrast of the cream planter against the blue shakes offers a charming cottage feel.

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3

Moon Gate Arch Trellis

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This dramatic trellis, inspired by Asian architecture, frames a view into the garden. The elegant curves invite visitors through its graceful arch.

SHOP MOON GATE ARCHES

4

Wall-Mounted Trellis

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A wall-mounted trellis provides support for lightweight climbing plants such as roses, clematis, and morning glories. It's painted white to blend in seamlessly with the house so that the colors of the flowers pop.

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5

Privacy Panel Trellis

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A single trellis panel on each side of a seating area offers privacy but still allows air and light to pass through. Vines can be grown up each side, or you can leave it bare for a more airy, open feel.

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6

Metal Obelisk

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A metal obelisk serves as support for this garden rose, while still offering plenty of architectural interest. Use one obelisk as an accent, or group several in odd numbers throughout a landscape bed to add dimension.

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7

Horizontal Trellis

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The vertical slat design creates complete privacy from neighbors, while the horizontal slats allow backyard access without hemming everyone in completely. The style has a relaxed yet contemporary feel.

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8

Wooden Garden Arch Trellis

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A wooden garden arch becomes a stunning accent when climbing roses and clematis are trained over it. Perennials are planted at the base to fill in and create a sense of lush fullness.

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9

Bamboo Garden Tuteur

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These simple garden towers are constructed by lashing several bamboo poles together with twine. It's an inexpensive yet picturesque way to keep your veggies such as beans or squash supported during the growing season.

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10

Willow Trellis

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Live woven willow makes a handsome trellis that looks equally at home in a cottage or meadow garden setting. Train sweetpeas up it, or use a single section as a backdrop to a seating area.

SHOP WILLOW TRELLISES

11

Mini Garden Pergola

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Tight on space? A mini pergola offers support for climbing vines, which also provide shade and privacy, but don't take up your entire back yard.

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12

Arbor Gate Trellis

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A garden gate is flanked by a trellis on either side, which is covered in fragrant climbing roses. Flower boxes mounted on top of the gate add another layer of color for a grand entrance.

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13

Standalone Privacy Screen Trellis

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This single-panel trellis provides screening just where you need it most. This screen is permanent, but you also can find movable screens for your deck or patio for instant, portable privacy.

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14

Espalier Trellis

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The practice of espalier lends a stunning effect to fruit trees, roses, and woody perennials such as bougainvillea. Plants are trained to grow horizontally with a wire trellis placed against a wall or fence.

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Arricca Elin SanSone

Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.

14 Trellis Ideas That Will Add Beauty and Interest to Your Garden (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a beautiful trellis? ›

How To Build A Trellis
  1. Step 1: Select your branches. Scout out branches in your yard that are about 2" thick. ...
  2. Step 2: Clean up branches. ...
  3. Step 3: Choose your metal wire.
  4. Step 4: Wrap branches together.
  5. Step 5: Position trellis.
  6. Step 6: Weave plants into place.

What is an alternative to a trellis? ›

Repurposing items you already have in your garage is another option. “Using old ladders, metal pipes, or even bicycle frames are some trellis alternative ideas,” Vehring says. “They add a unique and interesting touch to a garden space.”

Where should a trellis be placed in a vegetable garden? ›

Some gardeners place trellises at an angle to absorb maximum sunlight, and so that fruit hangs freely from the lower side of the trellis for easier harvest. To try this, set the stakes in the ground so that the trellis will face south, and will lean over the soil just north of it.

What makes a good trellis? ›

I generally like used fence boards for trellis. Just cut them into 3/4″ pieces, then glue and nail them into a grid, sized to your needs. I usually make them in 2 foot by 4 foot sections with square spacing of either 4 inches or 6 inches. find those sections are small enough to be handled easily.

What is the easiest trellis to build? ›

Plastic Netting Trellis

For a simple vegetable trellis that will last for a few seasons, attach plastic netting, also known as poultry netting to two pound-in metal garden stakes. You're done in a few minutes!

How do you make a cheap trellis? ›

This cheap and easy garden trellis is made with two items. This Grip-Rite Ladder Mesh Block (currently $4.27 each – I paid $3.57 last year) at Home Depot and zip ties. That's it! You simply zip tie how ever many you'd like to use and arch them into your bed.

What is a trellis vs pergola? ›

A trellis is typically incorporated into gardens, and used primarily for climbers such as grapevines, clematis, ivy, and climbing roses or other climbing plants. The term pergola generally refers to trellis-work which is laid horizontally above head height to provide a partial roof in a garden or patio area.

What vegetables benefit from a trellis? ›

Plants That Need a Trellis for Support
  • snow peas.
  • sugar snap peas.
  • asparagus (yardlong) beans.
  • fava beans.
  • cherry tomatoes.
  • grape tomatoes.
  • tomatillos.
  • cucumbers.
Apr 14, 2022

What is the best vegetable to grow on a trellis? ›

Climbing Vegetables
  • Indeterminate Tomatoes. Indeterminate tomato plants are vigorous natural climbers that can grow strong on trellises or other support systems. ...
  • Snow Peas. ...
  • Sugar Snap Peas. ...
  • Bitter Melons. ...
  • Butternut Squash. ...
  • Peppers (Climbing Varieties) ...
  • Bell peppers. ...
  • Cucumbers.

What is the best trellis for a garden? ›

The diamond-shaped trellis is arguably the most common type of trellis. They're very easy to make, and as such can be found in many gardens all over the world. Though simple, diamond-shaped trellises are large enough to allow ample growth for many vines and climbing plants.

What is a good layout for a vegetable garden? ›

As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.

How tall should a garden trellis be? ›

We recommend a trellis that's tall enough to accommodate growing vines, but not so tall that you'd have to stretch to pick. Our trellises measure 6 feet tall, but anywhere from 4 to 6 feet will work for growing most vining plants vertically. If your vines begin to grow out of hand, pinch off the top tip of the vine.

What is the ideal trellis height? ›

We recommend a trellis that's tall enough to accommodate growing vines, but not so tall that you'd have to stretch to pick. Our trellises measure 6 feet tall, but anywhere from 4 to 6 feet will work for growing most vining plants vertically. If your vines begin to grow out of hand, pinch off the top tip of the vine.

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