How to Use Trellis in the Garden

• Trellis panels – available in a variety of sizes, these can be used to add boundaries or even as an alternative to traditional wooden fencing
• Trellis fence toppers – for use more as a decorative feature or to add some extra height to an existing fence, toppers can be a cost-effective option
• Trellis planters - ideal for growing plants and vertical gardening
• Arch trellis - perfect for adding boundaries and shape to a garden, or even to create a pergola if multiple arch trellis’ are combined with vines and other climbing plants
• Wall trellis – these mainly come in rectangular or triangular/fan shapes and are perfect for attaching to a wall to support climbing plants and hide any damage or unsightly features

The primary purpose of a trellis is to support climbing plants. These plants could include:

• Flowers – including clematis, honeysuckle, hydrangea, jasmine, morning glory, roses, sweet peas, and wisteria, etc.
• Fruits - grow UK-friendly varieties of blackberries, cucumbers, grapes, Kiwi fruit, passion fruit, raspberries, and strawberries (climbing varieties), etc. It is also much easier to harvest these fruits as many will be accessible at usual standing height
• Herbs – climbing herb varieties including hops, hyssop, mint, oregano, rosemary, etc.
• Ornamental plants – creeping fig, ivy (various species), ivy leaf geraniums, porcelain climbing vine (and other flowering vines), Virginia creeper, etc.
• Vegetables – including courgettes, French beans, peas, runner beans, spinach (climbing varieties), squashes, tomatoes, etc.

Therefore, when you have a trellis, you can grow vertically as well as horizontally, and display plants in previously inaccessible areas of the garden. The trellis for vertical gardening capability is important when it comes to smaller gardens, or patio areas as it makes maximum use of the available space.

These areas might include the top of a fence panel, the back of a trellis planter or against a brick wall.

Trellis fence toppers are a superb way to increase the height of your fence panels.

As well as beautifying your boundary with climbing plants, they will also enhance your garden’s privacy levels through decorative panels.

A trellis fence can even be used to improve security and will shield your space from neighbours.

After all, lightweight toppers and prickly climbing plants would present a difficult obstacle for any intruder.

Garden arch trellis, standalone trellis and trellis obelisks are wonderful ways to mark a favourite place or separate different sections within a garden. For example, you could partition areas such as vegetable garden patches, flower beds or children’s play areas.

This is because trellis complements, rather than dominates, a view. Trellises not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a space but also offer a practical solution for supporting climbing plants, creating a lush vertical garden effect.

For those of you with a real eye for design, certain trellis structures can even be used to play with perspective or mark particular themes within a garden’s overall design. Additionally, strategically placed trellises provide privacy while still allowing light and air to filter through, making them an ideal choice for creating secluded areas within the garden.

Trellis panels make exceptionally popular garden screens, particularly standalone trellis panels.

After all, what better way to disguise unsightly wheelie bins than with a garden trellis? Similarly, rubbish bins and air conditioning units, etc., could also be hidden with trellises covered in foliage or flowers.

Furthermore, the flowers’ fragrance masks potentially unpleasant odours coming from the rubbish, itself.

Besides this, can you think of a better way to break up the monotony of a boring brick wall than with a wall mounted trellis, decorated with some of nature’s finest flowers?

Trellis often features on arbours, arches and gazebos.

It not only adds to their aesthetic appeal but, once adorned with climbers, improves your privacy too, as well as the fragrance and oxygen levels of the air around you.

You could even build your own private garden hideaway using trellis.

Simply assemble 3 garden trellis panels at right angles, train climbing plants to run up their sides, and by next summer you’ll have somewhere completely private in which to relax.

For obvious reasons, we all like to mark our garden’s boundaries.

However, traditional fence panels and walls can block out natural light, which is bad news for your prized plants.

Wooden trellis panels will solve this potential problem.

Once decorated with climbers, a trellis fence will ensure excellent levels of privacy, whilst still allowing natural light to filter through and help your plants thrive.

Let your artistic side flourish by adding artistic displays in the garden.

Trellises act as frames to support decorative items including hanging pots, lanterns, and other garden art (maybe your own artistic creations!)

Various types of trellis fencing are suitable such as standalone trellis, potted trellis and fan trellis. Choose various trellis types for decorating with seasonal decorations such as for religious events.

Use trellises as an effective and visually appealing way to guide pathways in gardens.

When you choose to add trellising, you add both WOW factor garden architecture such as arbours and arches, as well as a supporting structure for climbing plants.

Over the years, climbing plants such as roses, ivy, wisteria, etc., will grow. They could even be trained to form a natural archway which oxygenates your garden and adds a sense of journey and wonder in certain garden areas.

Using trellis fencing like this adds an element of both mystery and romance, whilst also adding shade and extra privacy. Your trellis can even work at night as you integrate outdoor lighting into trellising to illuminate pathways or highlight garden features at night.

Add a trellis as an architectural design feature, and let it act as a focal point in your garden design, for both its undisputed functional and decorative benefits.

Trellis serves wonderfully as a stunning backdrop for outdoor seating areas and creates a natural green "living wall" that families and visitors alike will love.

Providing respite from the shade is enabled as you position trellises and grow shade-providing plants directly over patios, garden benches, arches, etc. and create a cool, shaded area that is especially valued on hot days.

If you are still wondering how to use trellis in your garden, our final suggestion is to incorporate it as an effective windbreak in windy or exposed areas of the garden.

Choose plants such as clematis, honeysuckle, ivy, jasmine and wisteria as the type of plants which grow quickly and once established withstand strong winds.

When combined with the trellis, climbing plants like these create a dense windbreak and provide protection for more delicate plants and garden features, which may lie behind them.