Free and Easy Ideas to Build a Reclaimed Trellis
Vining plants are some of the cheapest and easiest ways to add some beauty and interest to any outdoor space.
...but what do you grow them on?
Lots of trellises you can buy at big box stores are ridiculously expensive and really not all that interesting either.
What you CAN do is find some discarded junk that can be salvaged and reused as a trellis on which to grow beautiful flowering vines.
A piece of chain link fencing, like the one pictured, fits the bill PERFECTLY!
I recently snapped the picture of the above trellis while visiting with some friends in beautiful Chattanooga, TN (which is an outdoor activities mecca, by the way).
Because of it's small wires that create a tight diagonal pattern, an old chain link fence is PERFECT for use as a trellis.
When considering any item for use as a trellis, always make sure that it's something on which the vines you'll be planting can easily attach to. If you want dense coverage, maybe for hiding an unsightly area, choose something that has a tight pattern.
If you'd prefer to be able to see through the trellis, consider an item that has a more open design...like bamboo poles laced together in a spacious grid.
For a Little More Abstract Flair...
Check out this creative trellis made from bamboo poles and a reclaimed bicycle wheel.
Of course building your new trellis is just half of the project...the other half is deciding what to grow on it.
My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE website for plant research is Dave's Garden.
Always be sure to plant and grow varities that are native to your area and hardy to your zone. Personally, I prefer mixing vining plants that also flower at different times of the year.
For example, I currently have yellow jasmine and a crossvine variety growing over a fountain that I built near my home's front porch.
Lots of items you can find in any junk yard or dumpster can work incredibly for use a recycled trellis.
What are some creative things you've seen used or could think of using?
We just put chain link fence around our back yard and guess what I'm going to do with the left over fence? Thanks, Jeffery for another good idea. I think I'll grow morning glories on it. I love them even if they do re-seed all over the place. Speaking of bamboo, does anyone know where I can find a large diameter piece of bamboo. I want to use it as a water return from my filter back into the pond.
I love the idea of using different types of material for the arbor, but do have a tidbit to share. We tried using a metal arbor/bench with our Clematis and we couldn't figure out why the plant was dying as it started to grow. Then we realized that the metal was basically burning it up. So, if you're going to use metal, I might suggest putting it in a shady location. Ours got full sun pretty much the whole day, because that's what the plant required. So, obviously, you'd need to pick a part-sun or shade-loving plant if you do choose a shady location. It may or may not be an issue for chain link fence trellises because the diameter of the wire is not as big as the metal on our arbor/bench. Just a thought!
Lynnette,
Our neighbour just gave us a climbing red rose that she'd propogated from a cutting. We found a piece of broken lattice in the basement and used that as a trellis. I've also seen an old bed spring used for climbers. Great article.
Loved this! We're adding some vines around the yard and these ideas are perfect--attractive, yet free... way cooler (and cheaper) than anything Lowe's or Home Depot is offering.