Trellises

Another piece of equipment useful to gardeners is the trellis. A garden trellis is a unit of interwoven pieces of wood, bamboo, or metal that is used to support a climbing plant such as sweet peas, ivy, climbing flowers, grapevines or muscadine. You may also grow squash on a trellis, but it will need to be very sturdy to support the weight of the plant. Trellises may be constructed by the gardener or purchased from a retail outlet.

If the gardener chooses to build a trellis, it will require research, planning, and the purchase of materials. Building a garden trellis will be a challenge, but can be an enjoyable and educational experience. When doing research on how to build a trellis, some good sources of information could be your local public library, other gardeners, or the internet, on which can be found free trellis plans.

A wooden garden trellis is a popular choice. Kits can be purchased, or you can custom-build a trellis from a variety of wood selections, such as cedar. A wooden trellis can help create a rustic look for your garden setting, if left a natural wood grain or even left untreated to encourage a weathered look as the seasons pass. You may also choose to stain or paint a wooden garden trellis to protect it from the elements or create a more refined look for your garden.

Another durable option is that of a metal trellis. Many select a wrought iron trellis, guaranteeing a sturdy and durable construction that should last a lifetime. Another option amongst metal trellises is that of a copper trellis, another strong and durable material which will not rust and does not need maintenance. A cheaper and more flexible metal trellis option is that of a wire trellis. These provide a more flexible material and will support light climbing plants. Many metal trellises are available in ornamental designs from retailers, artists, and metal-workers.

Another popular selection is that of a bamboo garden trellis. A bamboo trellis consists of bamboo cane lashed together to form the supporting structure, which can be a good solution if you desire a lighter weight trellis than some metal or wood trellises.

Wedding trellises are a popular decoration used in many weddings, particularly outdoor weddings. A wedding trellis usually arches over the bride and groom, and may be decorated with flowers, lights, fabrics, or other decorations. The trellis and its decorations can serve as a focus point to frame the bride and groom and may also provide shade for an outdoor wedding.