Creative Garden Trellis Ideas

Reuse Chair Back As Trellis

Keep an eye open for old chairs at garage sales, thrift stores, or better yet, pick one up that's been trashed at the curb. Some have beautiful ornamentation and can be used in lots of ways other than a place to park your backside. In this photo, I'm using the back portion of a broken "curb alert" chair as a trellis. My new clematis is pretty happy with it. Sink the side pieces into the soft soil, or like this, just lean it against a tree. Use the left-over seat portion of the chair to hold a potted plant or birdbath bowl.

By Gloria from western NY

Garden: Ladder as a Hanging Trellis

With limited space for a garden, I have to come up with new ways to grow things. This is the new hanging trellis I made to grow cantaloupes on. It is an old ladder supported by plant hooks on the fence side and utility hooks and nylon string for the outside.

When the melons start getting big, I will put mesh cloth around them and use hooks hanging from the steps to support the mesh. The cantaloupe plants are in the painted 5 gallon bucket, the other 2 planters are flowers.

By Melmarr from Southeastern Michigan

Choosing the Right Trellis

The concept of the trellis is simple - plants grab on and plants climb up. Whether you are using one to add growing space to your garden, screen an unsightly view, or to create a sense of privacy near your patio, the humble trellis is one of the most versatile structures that you can have in your garden.

Choosing Materials and Style

When selecting a trellis for your garden, try to choose a material and style that complements your home's exteriors and landscape design, as well as fitting the grow requirements of your plants. Trellises are usually made from one of three main materials: wood, metal, or plastic. Each has its advantage and disadvantages.

Metal trellises: If your plant is heavy and needs a lot of support, a trellis made from metal may be a good solution. Metal trellises tend to cost more than wooden or vinyl trellises, but withstand the elements best and will likely never need replacing. Trellises made from copper tubing will acquire a beautiful natural patina over time. Aluminum is lightweight and very durable, especially when painted. With steel and wrought iron trellises, make sure you look for a rust-proof finish.

Wooden trellises: Trellises made from wood are probably the most popular choice among gardeners. They are inexpensive to buy and if left unpainted, blend in seamlessly with the landscape as they age. If you're handy, there are also plenty of free trellis plans on the Internet, so you might even consider building your own. Wood trellises will eventually succumb to the elements, but you can extend their lifespan by choosing insect and rot-resistant woods like redwood, cypress, and looking trellises fastened together using galvanized nails or screws, not tacked together with staples. Avoid painted trellises and trellises made from treated wood if you want to recycle yours to the compost pile when it starts to rot.

Vinyl trellises: For a low maintenance trellis, one that will never rust and never need painting, try one made from vinyl. Although typically only available in limited colors (usually white, green or brown) vinyl trellises are becoming more popular with gardeners because of their durability. They key is to find out if the vinyl is treated and rated UV stable, meaning the vinyl is resistant to mildew and it won't fade or splinter due to long term exposure to the sun.

Flat trellises (ladders or fences): Flat trellises are usually designed to be anchored to structures like garages, sheds, walls, or fences. A flat trellis consists of a framework in which the slats are connected to form a ladder of squares or rectangles. These trellises come in a variety of heights, and depending on the width, can easily support multiple plants.

Obelisk trellises: With its tall, pyramid shape rising several feet up into the air, this three-dimensional trellis instantly becomes a dramatic focal point of the garden. Obelisk trellises add a vertical design element to your landscape and are meant to be viewed and appreciated from every side. Because their framework consists of 4 sides (usually made from metal), these trellises can support a variety of climbing vines and plants.

Fan trellises: These trellises are made to be freestanding or mounted. They can be used in the same way flat trellises are used, but they are usually designed to support only one plant. Their shape is narrow at the bottom and fans out at the top, which makes them ideal for setting inside of containers and supporting annual vines like sweet peas.

Installation Tips

• Always match the trellis to the plant. Climbing plants have different growth rates and different techniques for hanging on to supports. Some have delicate tendrils that gently coil around thin supports. Others are sprawling and need a more sturdy framework to support their weight.

• When training plants to climb, never use plastic or metal ties to fasten stems. Instead, use ties made from natural fibers or ties designed to stretch and accommodate plants as they grow.

• Plan ahead. Attach 3-inch thick furring strips to structures before hanging your trellis. Then attach the trellis to the furring strips with hooks and eyes instead of screws. This will help increase air circulation around your plants, and if there's ever a need to paint or repair the wall, you can easily remove the trellis.

  By Ellen Brown

Old Clothesline as a Garden Trellis

Plant any kind of vining plant below an old clothesline. As the plant grows, you can anchor it to the pole with string or yarn. When it reaches the top of the pole, you can train it across the clothesline itself by attaching it to the line with clothespins. I planted a wild blackberry bush under my old line and it not only looks great, but it's easier to harvest the berries each year.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

Gate Trellis

In my garden for the beans and peas I use chain link gates that were no longer needed to get in and out of my back yard. There is a decorative top to the gate so it looks quite attractive. It would be great for clematis or climbing roses, too.

By sooz

Old Baby Gate For A Trellis

Do you remember the old wooden baby gates? If you see one at a garage sale or an auction, they make an excellent trellis. I have a clematis growing on mine that I started this year.

By Elaine from Iowa

Old Headboard as a Garden Trellis

I use old metal bed headboards -- wrought iron, brass, etc. -- as trellises for my garden. The veggies climb right up them, they look great and always garner comments, and they're interesting in the winter covered with snow. I have three and have picked all of them from people throwing them out so it's a double bonus because they didn't end up in the landfill!

By Marna from Manchester, CT

Grapevine Garden Trellis

A rustic looking ladder for sweet peas or other climbers to scramble up in your garden or in a planter on your patio.

Materials and Equipment:

• three or four bamboo poles, available in any garden store, three or more feet high
• several meters of grape, kiwi or other vine, from a garden or craft store, or your garden
• wire
• wire cutters

Instructions:

1. Place your bamboo poles in the ground equidistant from each other in a pyramid formation. Bring the tips together and bind with wire.

2. Weave the vine into a braid of three or more strands. (If it is not pliable, soak it for a few hours first.)

3. Wrap the vine braid around the pole pyramid from bottom to top. If you run out of braid, start again and wrap the braid more loosely this time.

4. Secure the top and bottom of the braid with wire.

5. Plant sweet peas, beans or other vines at the base of the trellis and watch them scramble up.

6. Leave the trellis outside for the winter if you like. It makes an elegant addition to a winter garden!

By Christine Weber

Make a Trellis Out of an Old Box Spring

Gardening is a hobby with my wife and me. As we have a number of Clematis vines the trellises deteriorate. In my recycling travels I came upon a great way to make a trellis. I came by a motel and noticed a discarded box spring by the dumpster. I took it home and took it apart, finding some nice 1x4's and then took a bolt cutter and cut the spring in half and wala. We have 2 great trellises that are now in use. I might add that the Clematis and the box springs make great bed fellows.

By Patrick from Mcminnville, Tennessee

Reusing Headboards for the Garden

Old brass or wrought iron headboards can be used as trellises in the garden and also add a touch of whimsy to the overall landscape look.

By Bobbie