A well-designed trellis can transform your garden into a beautiful, functional space while supporting climbing plants like roses, cucumbers, or clematis. Whether you’re growing vegetables or adding vertical charm with flowers, trellises can add structured elegance to your garden. Plus, building your own trellis can be a fun and rewarding project!
Here are 15 unique trellis ideas to inspire your garden designs, along with practical tips for building each one and suggestions for which plants to try.
1. Vintage Ladder Trellis
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Repurposing a vintage ladder creates a charming, rustic trellis perfect for climbing plants like ivy or morning glories.
How to Build It
- Find an old wooden or aluminum ladder.
- Lean it against a wall or secure it against a fence.
- Use nails or brackets to keep it stable.
- Paint it or leave the weathered look for character.
Plant Suggestions
Try hardy climbers like Virginia creeper, climbing roses, or colorful sweet peas.
2. DIY Branch-and-Twine Obelisk Trellis
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This rustic, natural-looking trellis is both budget-friendly and perfect for lightweight climbers.
How to Build It
- Gather sturdy branches or saplings of similar lengths.
- Tie the tops together with twine to form a teepee shape.
- Wrap additional twine horizontally around the structure for plant support.
Plant Suggestions
Use this trellis for morning glories, sweet peas, or lightweight cucumbers.
3. Panel Trellis with Lattice Fence
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A lattice panel trellis invites greenery to act as a natural privacy screen in your backyard.
How to Build It
- Purchase a wooden or plastic lattice panel.
- Attach the lattice to a wooden frame or fence.
- Secure with screws or hooks for stability.
Plant Suggestions
Clematis and climbing hydrangeas do well with this type of trellis.
4. Raised Bed Trellis
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Combine your raised garden bed with a trellis to maximize growing space and keep crops off the ground.
How to Build It
- Build or repurpose a raised garden bed.
- Install a wooden or metal trellis along one side.
- Use zip ties or clips to secure growing plants as needed.
Plant Suggestions
Perfect for tomatoes, cucumbers, or runner beans.
5. DIY Salvaged Window Trellis
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Upcycle old window frames into a trellis, giving your garden a vintage, eco-friendly touch.
How to Build It
- Remove the glass panels from a salvaged window.
- Attach the frame to a wall or fence.
- Use hooks or nails to secure climbing plants.
Plant Suggestions
Star jasmine or climbing nasturtiums are ideal for this setup.
6. Portable Garden Trellis
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This lightweight and movable option is ideal for small gardens or container plants.
How to Build It
- Use wooden stakes and chicken wire to create a lean-to structure.
- Anchor the stakes with garden staples or rocks for stability.
- Move it as needed to create shade or manage sun exposure.
Plant Suggestions
Try climbing vegetables like peas or beans in container gardens.
7. Honeycomb Trellis
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A hexagonal honeycomb design adds a visually striking element to your garden.
How to Build It
- Cut wood into equal-length hexagonal shapes using a miter saw.
- Assemble and nail the pieces together.
- Mount the trellis onto a fence or wall for added support.
Plant Suggestions
Consider growing clematis or even edible plants like grapevines.
8. Tiered Garden Bed with Trellis
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Perfect for vegetable gardens, a tiered garden bed with an attached trellis uses vertical space efficiently.
How to Build It
- Build a tiered planter out of wood.
- Attach a lattice or wire panel to the back for climbing plants.
- Place taller plants in the back and smaller ones up front.
Plant Suggestions
Grow tomatoes, cherry cucumbers, or pole beans for easy harvesting.
9. Pergola Trellis
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A pergola creates a dramatic focal point while offering support for heavy vines.
How to Build It
- Build or assemble a pre-fabricated pergola with durable wood.
- Use brackets to attach it securely to the ground.
- Add cross beams or netting for extra climbing support.
Plant Suggestions
Use this trellis for wisteria, climbing roses, or grapevines.
10. Obelisk Trellis with Chicken Wire
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This tall, narrow trellis is perfect for growing climbing plants in limited spaces.
How to Build It
- Build or purchase a tall, pyramid-shaped structure.
- Wrap chicken wire around the obelisk to create footholds for vines.
- Paint the wood for added color and protection.
Plant Suggestions
Watermelon vines, jasmine, or passionflower are excellent choices.
11. Espaliered Tree Panel
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Espaliered trees grow in a flat pattern, serving as a functional yet decorative trellis.
How to Build It
- Start with a young fruit tree.
- Train the branches flat against a wall or panel with wire or twine.
- Prune regularly to maintain the shape.
Plant Suggestions
Use apple, pear, or fig trees for their beautiful structure and fruit.
12. DIY Green Curtain Trellis
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Turn a plain wooden fence into a green curtain by encouraging climbing plants to grow across a panel trellis.
How to Build It
- Attach wooden lattice or wire mesh to an existing fence.
- Guide plant tendrils upward using twine or garden clips.
- Ensure the trellis is strong enough for weighty plants.
Plant Suggestions
Grow fast-climbing plants like morning glories or trumpet vines for quick results.
13. Trellised Archway
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An archway trellis creates a stunning entrance or pathway feature in your garden.
How to Build It
- Install sturdy metal or wooden arch supports.
- Attach wire or mesh panels to encourage climbing.
- Anchor firmly in the ground for stability.
Plant Suggestions
Train climbing roses, clematis, or even edible grapes to grow along the arch.
14. Old Grapevine Trellis
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Repurpose natural materials by creating a trellis with foraged grapevine branches.
How to Build It
- Grab thick but flexible grapevines and weave them into a trellis frame.
- Use wires or nails to secure the structure.
- Allow it to dry thoroughly before adding plants.
Plant Suggestions
Use for lightweight climbers like sweet peas or climbing nasturtiums.
15. DIY T-Post Trellis
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Simple and sturdy, a T-post trellis is ideal for supporting climbing vegetables.
How to Build It
- Drive metal T-posts into the ground.
- Attach wooden branches horizontally with zip ties or garden twine.
- Add additional layers as plants grow taller.
Plant Suggestions
This trellis is perfect for peas, cucumbers, or squash.
A trellis not only supports plants but adds vertical interest and charm to your garden. By choosing one of these creative ideas that suits your style and gardening needs, you can create an eye-catching and functional garden feature. Which of these trellises will you incorporate into your garden next?
