How do I Choose the Best Wall Trellis?

There are several factors to consider when choosing the best wall trellis. These include the size of the area available for the trellis and the trellis type and style you like the best. There are many shapes and sizes of trellises, and getting the right climbing plant support also means knowing about the plant you intend to use in conjunction with the trellis. Budget may also be a factor, though quality and appropriateness should take precedence.

Choosing the right wall trellis can be difficult if you’re not sure what kind of plants will be using the trellis or what those plants’ features are. For example, a vegetable trellis should be stronger than a trellis used for something decorative and flowery, because the weight of the vegetables produced must be taken into consideration. Even decorative and flowery plants have their own needs. For example, ivy won’t necessarily need a wall trellis, because it could cling directly to the wall without any added support. Other flowers grow in more of a vine fashion, wrapping themselves through and around the gaps in the trellis instead of clinging to the actual material of the trellis.

When you have decided what kinds of plants you'll be using with your trellis, you can make better decisions based on weight, size, growing speed, and other factors. Size is an important consideration when purchasing a wall trellis, for the space available on the wall, the size of the plant, and the ability of the plant to get hold of the trellis and use it properly. Measuring the space available on the wall before going shopping can help. Check with a garden shop, horticultural agency or online to see how big the chosen plant is expected to get. Compare anticipated plant size to available wall space and, if compatible, take those measurements with you when you go shopping.

Ideally, you should choose the best wall trellis by focusing on what you need and what will give you the best value for the money you're spending. Consider a trellis made of interwoven wood, because it's stronger and more durable than non-woven trellises. There are also plastic trellises and metal — particularly, wrought iron — trellises. Plastic trellises can be badly damaged and made brittle by heat and sunlight. Wrought iron trellises are long-lasting and can support a lot of weight, but they also get hot in direct sunlight, which could damage the plant.

You can also purchase a trellis that doesn’t sit right up against a wall, but you'll need to take care with anchoring it so it remains stable for the plants that will be using it. Trellises designed to be placed against a wall are generally sturdier, and they do better for vertical gardening because they are less likely to bend or break. If you're into growing your own food, a vegetable trellis will be best, but any type of interwoven wood trellis that fits your size and budget requirements should be fine for most other types of plants.