Trellis Ideas: 12 Ways to Use a Garden Trellis (Plus the Best Climbing Plants)

A trellis gives climbing plants something to grab so they grow up instead of sprawling across the ground. The best trellis ideas match the structure to the plant and the spot: a tall panel against a wall for clematis, a freestanding screen for privacy, a planter with an attached trellis for a patio, or a lattice frame over a raised bed for vegetables.

Here are 12 trellis ideas for gardens, patios, and small spaces, plus the best climbing plants to grow on them and how to install a trellis so it stays put.

12 Garden Trellis Ideas

1. A Classic Panel Against a Wall or Fence

A single tall panel softens a blank wall, fence, or garage side. The Cedar Garden Trellis Panel – 7 ft measures 33 inches wide and 84 inches tall. Leave a few inches between the trellis and the wall so air can move behind the plants.

2. A Freestanding Privacy Screen

Hinge two panels together and they stand on their own. The 2-Panel Cedar Trellis Privacy Screen creates a 66-inch screen you can move around the patio. For more ways to screen a yard, see our backyard privacy ideas.

3. A Planter With a Built-In Trellis

When you don't have soil to plant in, put the soil where you need it. A planter box with a trellis works on decks, patios, and balconies.

4. Small Trellis Planters for Entryways

A pair of small planters with short trellises flanking a front door adds height and symmetry. The Cedar Planter Boxes with Trellis – Set of 2 stands 34 inches tall, a good size for sweet peas, mandevilla, or a compact climbing rose.

5. A Trellis Over a Raised Bed

Growing vegetables vertically saves space and keeps fruit off the soil. A lattice frame like the 8 ft Cedar Raised Bed Trellis attaches to the back of a raised bed. See our picks for the best climbing vegetables for raised beds.

6. A Living Tunnel or Archway

Connect two raised beds with an arch and train squash, beans, or gourds over it for a walk-through tunnel. Our guide to building a living tunnel shows how.

7. A Trellis Wall Behind Seating

Put a row of panels behind a bench or outdoor sofa to create a backdrop that feels like a room wall. Add string lights along the top edge for evenings.

8. Trellis Panels to Hide Eyesores

Screen trash cans, AC units, or pool equipment with two or three panels. Keep at least the manufacturer's recommended clearance around AC units so they can breathe.

9. A Fan or Obelisk Trellis in a Flower Bed

Freestanding obelisks and fan trellises add height to the middle of a bed and give clematis or climbing roses a focal point.

10. A Trellis Along a Deck Railing

Short panels clamped to a railing support annual vines and add privacy at seated height without blocking the view when you stand.

11. Pair a Trellis With an Arbor

An arbor at a garden entrance with trellis panels running off each side creates a garden "gate" without a fence. Learn the difference between the two in arbor vs. pergola vs. trellis.

12. Climbing Plants on a Pergola

Train vines up a pergola post and across the rafters for natural shade. Our guide to the best plants to grow around a pergola covers sun and climate needs.

Best Climbing Plants for a Trellis

Climbers grab on in different ways, and that affects which trellis works best.

• Twining vines wrap their stems around supports. Lattice and thin slats work well.
• Tendril climbers send out thin curling shoots. They need narrow supports to wrap around.
• Scramblers like climbing roses don't attach on their own and need to be tied to the trellis.

A note on heavy vines: wisteria and trumpet vine get very heavy and woody. They need a strong pergola or arbor, not a lightweight panel. Skip clinging ivy on wood trellises, because it holds moisture against the wood.

How to Install a Trellis

1. Pick the spot. Most flowering vines need at least six hours of sun.
2. Leave an air gap. Mount wall trellises on spacers a few inches from the wall to prevent moisture and mildew.
3. Anchor it. Freestanding panels in the ground need stakes or posts. Set them deep enough to resist wind, especially once the trellis is covered in leaves.
4. Plant at the base. Set the plant about 6 to 12 inches from the trellis and lean young stems toward it.
5. Guide new growth. Loosely tie stems with soft plant ties for the first few weeks until they grab on.

Why Choose a Cedar Trellis?

Western red cedar resists rot and insects naturally, so it holds up to wet soil and dense foliage. Untreated cedar is also safe around edible plants. Explore all our garden trellis and privacy screens or pair a trellis with one of our planter boxes.

Trellis FAQs

What is the best trellis for climbing plants?

It depends on the plant. Twining vines and tendril climbers do well on lattice with thin slats. Heavy, woody vines need a sturdy arbor or pergola instead of a light panel.

How far should a trellis be from a wall?

Leave a few inches of space so air can circulate behind the plant. This helps prevent mildew and protects the wall.

What grows fastest on a trellis?

Annual vines like morning glory and black-eyed Susan vine can cover a trellis in a single season.

Can I use a trellis as a privacy screen?

Yes. A tall freestanding trellis covered in vines makes an effective living privacy screen.

Is a cedar trellis safe for vegetables?

Untreated cedar contains no chemical preservatives, which is why it's a popular choice for edible gardens.