Learn how easy it is to make a garden trellis by using extra branches and twigs from your own backyard, and a spool of twine.
Making a garden trellis can be as easy as gathering together branches and twigs in your own backyard. Especially at the end of winter, or early spring, when you are out cleaning up the debris.
Instead of tossing them all in the compost pile, or burning them, save some for a rustic garden design that you can make with your own two hands.
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How to Make a Garden Trellis from Tree Branches
The process is very easy. Gather your branches and experiment with the layout on the ground or patio.
Using natural twine,
If you want to make an arch or any curved area, consider using live branches that you have pruned for the season. In the case above, I used a sapling of some wayward tree, that decided to show up in the wrong spot in my garden.
The inside of the arch seemed much too bare, so I added a couple of hydrangea branches that I just pruned from my huge Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' shrub in a heart-shaped design. Typically live thin branches are easy to bend into the shape you want.
Dig a couple of holes for your trellis to be set into. Tamp the soil down around the base to keep it in place.
I planted a clematis that was growing on my hillside. The area is so over-crowded I thought this would be a perfect place to relocate the vine. I think most clematis plants would do well here and the trellis could handle their size and weight.
I'm not sure if a climbing rose or some of the other perennial climbers would work, because they may be too big for this little guy. However, annual vines, such as morning glories or black-eyed Susan vine would be perfect for this trellis.
The final result is a little crooked. However, I don't mind it. I know it will look great when it is covered with vines and all the other plants fill in here.
This area at the back of the house used to be shaded by a huge evergreen. I have hosta, perennial begonia, and goat's beard planted here. They will still have some morning shade, but by mid-day, the area will receive a lot more sun. So, I may need to change things up a bit.
Just another excuse to buy more plants. 😀
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How to Make an Awesome Garden Trellis Almost for Free
Equipment
- scissors
Materials
- Tree Branches
- Natural Twine
Instructions
- Gather your branches and experiment with the layout on the ground or patio.
- Using natural twine, lash the branches together at intersecting places.
- To make an arch or any curved area, use live branches that you have pruned for the season.
- I added a couple of hydrangea branches for the center.
- Dig a couple of holes for your trellis to be set into.
- Tamp the soil down around the base to keep it in place.
BEATRICE VEGAS
whoa luv this. wonder if it will work for my passion flower - its in a pot.
Patti Estep
I don't see why not Beatrice. Give it a try.
Irene
Extremely helpful, simple cheap and easy. Thanks!
Patti Estep
Yes it is Irene. I'm glad you like it.
Sue
Just love this Patti - we have just cut down some really thick vines so they will be a good start to a new trellis
Beautiful weather here in Gettysburg with some wonderful rain in the night, the wild flowers are starting to show themselves 🙂
Patti Estep
Hi Sue,
That sounds like a great idea and we've had some wonderful rain in SW Pa too. I think I'll get out and transplant a few things today while the ground is wet and the air is dry. Tomorrow they are forecasting more rain so that's always a good time to plant.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the wild flowers!
Patti
Carole
I really like this idea and you've got me inspired because all those trees we're clearing out at the property I could take some of those smaller ones and turn them into a trellis or two for the garden and all those other gardens I need to install. Thanks for this awesome idea Patti - I love this concept.
Patti Estep
Hi Carole,
This was a throw back project that I did at the first house we lived in when I really started to get into gardening. It's fun to do and many people have lots of branches laying around that they could use. Now you have more than enough and you could even use nails and/or screws for more durability or larger structures. I'm sure they would be gorgeous.
The weather here is beautiful!
Hope you are enjoying the spring in your new property.
Patti