Whether you're growing flowering vines along a garage wall, roses along a walkway, or cucumbers and beans in a raised bed, you'll need something for those climbing plants and vines to grow on.
That's when a trellis comes in handy. Luckily it doesn't have to be super expensive or a complicated construction project to be attractive. You can get creative with purchased garden ornaments such as an obelisk, arch or ladder, or you can make one yourself one with a few basic household items.
Of course, a trellis is practical for supporting plants, but it also can be beautiful and add an interesting accent to your garden's design all on its own.
Like fast-growing shrubs, trellises can provide privacy from the neighbors or hide an unsightly view, such as your compost bin or trash cans. A trellis also can divide an outdoor "room" to make it more functional, separating spaces for eating, grilling, or lounging.
A trellis can be made from many different materials, including wood, twigs, metal or plastic, and it may be permanent or removable. Probably the most important thing to remember is that for plants that get very heavy as they mature, such as a climbing hydrangea, make sure you anchor the trellis to something to keep it upright, such as the wall (though you should offset it with blocks from the building to allow air flow behind the plant, which cuts down on the occurrence of some fungal diseases).
Ahead, our favorite trellis ideas for every style of garden:
1
Salvaged Window Trellis
A salvaged window proves the perfect support for a climbing vine, such as star jasmine.
Remove the glass panes and hang on a wall or rest on your potting shed worktable.
2
Branches and Twine Trellis
We love the rustic look of sweet peas scrambling up cut saplings, such as poplar or birch, tied with twine. Forage large sticks from your garden, then lash together in casual fashion at the top.
This won't hold heavy plants, but it's fine for annuals such as sweet peas or morning glories.
3
Vintage Fence Trellis
Lean a vintage fence piece against your house for a quick, easy solution for climbing plants. Shop flea markets for the best finds.
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4
DIY Pergola
Pergolas can be used not only as a support structure for vines such as clematis, but they also provide shade.
Before building, call your local utilities to mark the location of underground lines because you'll need to sink the posts at least one-quarter their heights.
Get the tutorial at A Piece of Rainbow.
5
T-Post Trellis
This sweet, rustic little trellis can be made from posts, poplar twigs, and twine, though you can use zip ties, too. Use bigger branches on the bottom and smaller ones up top, alternating the thick ends on each row.
Get the tutorial at Chicken Scratch NY.
6
Honeycomb Trellis
Lovely in itself, this hexagon-shaped honeycomb trellis will add serious zing to your property.
Use a miter saw to make the hexagonal cuts, then mount the trellis onto a fence, making sure it screws into all the horizontal supports.
Get the tutorial at Mama Needs a Project.
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7
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!
8
Espaliered Trees
Espalier is a form of pruning that allows trees to grow flat against a wall or in a line.
Though it's not strictly a "trellis," espalier does provide a fence-like appearance for privacy--though this technique does take time and effort to achieve.
Get espalier tips from Oregon State University.
9
Fancy Trellis
This beautifully made trellis is suitable for showing off at the entrance to your home, especially draped with a flowering vine like clematis. Be sure to use pressure-treated lumber and a stain/sealer so it stands the test of time.
Get the tutorial at HandyDadTV.
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10
Bamboo Trellis
Bamboo lasts forever! Buy a package of tall bamboo pieces, lean them towards each other, and lash the tops together. You've got a bean tunnel that can be disassembled and stored easily come winter.
11
Cedar Board Clematis Trellis
Jazz up your boring backyard fence with a trellis that will give flowering vines, such as jessamine, the support they need to climb high. For this project, cedar boards cut into short strips make a simple trellis.
Get the tutorial at The Handyman’s Daughter.
12
Wire Wall Trellis
Get greenery going on your brick with this wire trellis, which uses masonry anchors, eye hooks and cable wire to create a foundation for your plants to cover.
Get the tutorial at Salvaged Living.
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13
Fir Board Trellis with Planter Box
Two projects in one, this trellis is mounted inside a handy planter. The box has casters mounted on the bottom, making it easy to move when necessary.
Get the tutorial at Deuce Cities Henhouse.
14
No-Weld Copper Trellis
You don’t need to be able to weld to assemble this beautiful copper pipe trellis—it's done with super-strong glue! The copper will age to a beautiful patina in time.
Get the tutorial at 33 Shades of Green.
15
Rustic Birch Trellis Ladder
Whether you’d like to use this homey ladder as a trellis or as seasonal decor, it's a lovely addition to your porch or patio. Craft it from small limbs foraged from your yard.
Get the tutorial at Ashbee Design.
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16
Crisscross Wall Trellis
This elegant crisscross trellis can be used in the most formal of outdoor spaces. If you have a fountain or artwork you’d like to highlight, think about leaving out the center “X” and placing the piece within the space.
Get the tutorial at Centsational Style.
17
Rustic Sapling Trellis
Whimsical and charming, this trellis is made with green saplings, which are bent into a hoop shape and wedged between large rocks until they’re dry.
Get the tutorial at Ellen Ecker Ogden.
18
Garden Obelisk
You can use this simple-to-make obelisk for everything from a tomato cage to a rose trellis for roses. It's easily assembled out of pine pieces, then painted or stained to protect it from the elements.
Get the tutorial at Flower Patch Farmhouse.
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19
Cattle Panel Trellis
This clever trellis made from metal cattle panels enables you to grow cucumbers, peas, and beans up instead of out. After trimming and halving the panel, use hog rings or cable ties to join them. This trellis folds flat for storage.
Get the tutorial at Frugal Family Home.
20
Twine Pea Trellis
Built from bamboo and garden twine, this is super-easy and inexpensive to make. It works well for flowers such as sweet peas or morning glories or edible snow peas.
Get the tutorial at Garden Therapy.
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.
Terri Robertson
Terri Robertson is the Senior Editor, Digital, at Country Living, where she shares her lifelong love of homes, gardens, down-home cooking, and antiques.
