Do-it-yourself trellises for climbing plants: types, materials, photos, manufacturing features

14.01.2020

Climbing vines can perfectly decorate landscape design. They are used as hedges, decorate the walls of buildings, shade gazebos, and create beautiful flower bed compositions. To highlight the shape of plants and direct vines vertically, metal trellises work best. You can buy trellises in a collapsible, stationary form, choosing the appropriate shape and size of the structure.

Climbing plants are divided into ornamental flowering and deciduous, annuals and perennials. Some of them require constant care and attention, others just need to be planted and watered several times. In the presented rating of the most beautiful vines, beginners and experienced gardeners will be able to choose suitable specimens for their garden.

Metal and plastic trellises

Like any other metal structure, a metal trellis is highly durable and resistant to wind loads.
It can be made by forging or by welding prefabricated elements. Reinforcement and rods are perfect for making arched systems. Simple option: To make such a structure, you will need reinforcement with a diameter of 1.5 - 2.0 cm as a support and thinner ones to fill the internal space. Strong fastening into the ground is achieved by driving 1/3 of the total length of the rod, the lower end of which is best cut off at an acute angle to facilitate installation.

Metal corners or profiles are well suited as the basis for the frame. They have sufficient strength to withstand heavy loads. Supports of this design are best concreted in the ground.

Forged trellises are very difficult to manufacture; they are already a more expensive artistic piece of furniture. But you can create endlessly varied shapes and patterns. They can be made in a curved, wavy shape, in the form of a fan.

For all its strength and reliability, metal has one negative property - it rusts. Therefore, it is necessary to provide for final treatment of metal elements from rust formed as a result of frequent contact with moisture. In addition, the result is a non-demountable structure, which is problematic to move to another location.

Using ready-made plastic products as trellises is a fairly practical option. A variety of shapes and colors provide a wide choice of different options. Installing a plastic trellis is quite simple: you just need to secure the plastic element to the supports. However, the fragility of plastic does not allow its use when planting heavy plants.

How support protects berries from diseases

Not all strawberry varieties have tall peduncles that can hold the fruit above the ground surface. Many berries fall on the soil when ripe, which provokes gray rot and spotting. In addition, slugs often attack lying fruits, destroying the crop. By lifting strawberries on a support, the gardener ensures crop protection throughout the season without spending effort and money on pest control.

Strawberry supports are distinguished by the height and shape of the structure. Before buying supports, it is advisable to check the height of the strawberry bushes. Universal designs are also suitable for flowers, giving them a well-groomed appearance and preventing the lush plant from sprawling on the ground. The choice of plant supports is wide; among those presented, you can choose those that are suitable in terms of price, appearance and functionality.

External trellis frame

It is not at all necessary to make the trellis strictly square or rectangular. The frame may have, for example, beveled edges. The main thing is that this does not come at the expense of the strength of the structure. Therefore, we must adhere to the rule: the slats at all intersection points must be tightened together with self-tapping screws.

The trellis frame is pulled together at the corners. In the case of constructing a compact trellis, make a selection halfway through the tree and join the bars together. They are fastened with self-tapping screws, having previously drilled and countersunk holes in the bars so that they do not crack while tightening the screws.

When installing a large trellis, no selection is made - the bars are simply overlapped and tightened with M10 mounting pins.

Varieties

In spacious areas, it is more convenient to use double trellises, suitable for growing shade-loving plants. Most often we are talking about metal structures of T-shaped and V-shaped. They often reach a height of 3 m, due to which the plants always receive more solar energy, and as a result they grow and bear fruit more actively.

Yield indicators are no less dependent on proper rationing of inflorescences. If you do not take this into account, you will simply lose money on the installation of functional T-shaped devices. Eventually, the space allocated for supports could be taken over by more profitable crops.

In areas decorated in Baroque and Empire styles, columnar and triangular trellises look good. French style tends to use arched structures. They make excellent alleys, shady screens and open gazebos. It is better to use fast-growing crops as plants, especially Amur and Lambrusco grapes.

The optimal height of the trellis is 180 cm. For convenient passage of agricultural machinery, higher installations will be needed. In 35% of cases, such supports are used exclusively for decorating personal plots. For these purposes, experts recommend exclusive fan-shaped designs. Rectangular trellises can be used everywhere.

Advantages of trellises

The raspberry trellis has the following advantages:

Allows you to avoid contact of berries with the ground, as a result of which they remain clean.
Provides good ventilation, thereby preventing the formation of fungi.
Helps achieve uniform lighting and, as a result, simultaneous ripening.
Facilitates pruning, watering, and harvesting.

Devices for grapes and vegetable crops have the same advantages.

In conclusion, we note that the trellis brings with it not only benefits. With proper effort, it can become a decoration of the landscape of a dacha area.

Therefore, it should and should be used if you grow climbing crops. In addition, constructing such a structure is quite simple and inexpensive.

WELDING HINGES

As already noted, the design of the structure provides for the possibility of rotating the two outer sections relative to the central one, so the next operation is to install two standard garage cylindrical hinges with a diameter of 16 mm. There are several ways to create a uniform gap between the outer diameter of the hinges and the welding point to the sections.

We choose the most reliable one for our case: we use pieces of metal profile with a square cross-section, into which we place the edges of the loop before welding. First we orient the loops so that their inner cylinder faces

side of the top of the side section.

First, we pinpoint both parts of each hinge at the places of installation to the sections, then we check the smoothness of rotation when tilting the side section at an angle of 180°, and only after that we carefully weld both seams of fastening to the central and side sections.

We also clean continuous seams with a grinder with a flap wheel with a diameter of 125 mm and a grit size of 80A.

The final stage of making a trellis is the application of chrome-colored aerosol protective and decorative paint (this is a “trend” solution for modern steel structures) using a spray can.

The structure was covered with three layers of paint.

With proper care of the coating, such a trellis will last up to 15 years. To press the support structure to the ground, you can use steel brackets bent in the shape of the letter “P”, which are made of reinforcement with a diameter of 8 or 10 mm and a length of 1 m.

Homemade metal arch

You will need:

Two reinforcement rods 6 m long and 1 cm in diameter.
Nine reinforcement rods 94 cm long and 0.5−0.7 cm in diameter.
Ten pins 25 cm long.
Soft but strong wire.
Rope 1 m long.
Paint for metal.
Primer.

How to do:

It is necessary to draw a template for the future structure directly on the ground, using pins for this. They need to be stuck into the ground in an arc, which is what the future arch will look like, making the estimated structure more than two meters high. For convenience, you can draw a neat line in the ground from one pin to another to see the full picture. Along the finished contour, bend each of the two six-meter reinforcement rods so that they take the shape of an elongated semicircle, or, so to speak, a semi-oval. It is better to resort to the help of another person, because it is physically difficult to do it on your own

It is important to protect yourself from rods that may accidentally slip out of your hands: use a special mask and gloves, work in a durable jacket and pants.

The finished base must be driven 40-50 cm into the ground so that it holds well. It is better to mark the limit on the rods themselves using paint, tape or electrical tape

The distance between the two rods should remain approximately 31-32 cm. The bases of the frame will be connected by special rings, which are described below. For the rings you will need rods 94 cm long and approximately 5-7 mm thick. Each of the nine rods is prepared as follows: using a pipe bender, you need to bend each rod into a ring, the ends of which will fit tightly to each other. If you don’t have a pipe bender, you’ll have to perform the same maneuver using pins on the ground, placing the pins in a circle with a diameter of 30 cm. You can also not complicate your life and connect the base of the arch not with circles, but with horizontal rods, cutting them into shorter pieces: 35 each −40 cm. The next stage is connection. To do this, you need to measure 60 cm from the ground on both sides - at this mark the ring will be attached. Each next one is attached 15-20 cm from the previous one, the fifth ring is located in the center of the structure - at the top. To ensure that the rings are at the same distance, it is worth measuring the length of the rod from the first to the fifth ring, dividing by four and marking it. The ring is attached like this: you need to use a wire to tie the ring to the base at the previously made mark. It is necessary to work with gloves and tighten the wire well, otherwise the structure may fall apart. To connect, you will need another person who will hold the structure during the connection process. When the work is completed, you need to coat the product with a primer and leave to dry. After a day, paint is applied, which will also need to dry. After this, the arch is ready for use. You can plant climbing flowers nearby or install pots with such flowers.

If you make a wider acre, using more rings and twigs for the base, it can serve as a support for the grapes.

It is better to work on warm sunny days, and make sure that there is no rain, as it can damage the invention of the arch.

Types of supporting structures

Arch

One of the most popular options, consisting of two arcs connected by an overlap at the top.

Made of metal, wood or plastic, it can be semicircular, rectangular or pointed, suitable for decorating entrance areas. Optimal size: 1.5 m wide and 2.2 m high. Arches are used as a support for perennial vines: virgin grapes, hops, various types of ivy, clematis, climbing roses, wisteria, honeysuckle.

Pergola

An alternative to a gazebo, it is usually located in a recreation area, patio, or on the lawn.

A structure resembling a light canopy. Consists of several frames or arches connected into a single structure. Pergolas are made of wood or metal; they are distinguished by their solid weight and stability. Suitable for perennial tree-like vines that can knock down lighter supports. You can hang baskets with cascading plants on the pergolas: nasturtiums, petunia.

Column

The column is installed in flower beds and lawns as the center of the composition.

A tall rectangular or round structure made of brick, wood, metal mesh on a frame. Suitable as a support for annual and perennial vines: sweet pea, morning glory, akinidia, ivy, climbing tree pliers, princeling, nasturtium. If the column is made of a rod or large mesh, the plants are planted inside, the stems eventually entwining the structure.

Trellis

A variety of grilles made of wood, metal or plastic. Suitable for attaching any vines, decorative deciduous or flowering. They can be installed separately or attached to the walls of a house, garage, summer kitchen and other buildings. Trellis can be placed vertically or at an angle, the main thing is to fix them well to avoid falling. The sizes of trellises are different; trellises with a height of 1 to 3 m are especially convenient.

Berso

Berso is only suitable for large gardens and parks.

A kind of corridor consisting of several arches connected by crossbars. Serves for the design of alleys and entrance groups, an excellent support for decorative leafy vines: grapes, hops, ivy. They can be combined with flowering perennials and annuals, as well as spreading trees and shrubs planted close to the arches.

Trellis

A variant of a trellis, reminiscent of a folding screen. Consists of 3 sashes that are installed at the desired angle. Serves for zoning small areas, separating a patio area, and disguising outbuildings. Mobile trellises are convenient as a support for flowering summer plants: decorative beans, morning glory, sweet peas, loaches.

Pyramids

Small structures made of wooden or plastic slats or metal rods. They are installed in different parts of the garden, looking especially impressive on flower beds and lawns. Plants are planted inside or outside; thin bridges serve as a good attachment for thin tendrils and suckers. Pyramids are suitable for supporting climbing annuals, tall flowering plants, and vegetable crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants).

Bush holders

Not only tall flowers and vines need supports. Berry or decorative leafy bushes should also look neat. Special bush holders will help give them the desired shape and provide support for the branches. Most often they are made of metal rod, reliable and durable. The design is simple: 3-4 legs provide support, the bush forms a ring of the appropriate diameter. It is recommended to install the support when replanting the plant; there is no need to dismantle it for the winter.

Alcove

The lattice walls of the gazebo are also suitable for attaching grapes, climbing roses, and determinate varieties of vegetables.

Lightweight structure with supporting walls and roof. Most often it is made of wood, but there are also designs with forged elements. Arbors are suitable for outdoor recreation and provide a convenient support for any vines, from annual morning glory to tree-like wisteria.

Net

The mesh is used as a fence and decorates walls.

Plastic or metal coarse mesh can be stretched over poles or frames. Suitable for supporting any fast-growing vines: actinidia, climbing beans, peas, grapes. It is advisable to choose plants that remain decorative until late autumn. The downside of the mesh is that without lush greenery, they don’t look very decorative.

Support rods

A thin metal rod is the best support for tall flowering plants: dahlias, gladioli, peonies, rose bushes. They are dismantled for the winter, and when painted to match the foliage, they are completely invisible on the site. To secure the stems, you will need soft matching tapes or plastic clips.

Types of arch materials for flowers and climbing plants

In order for an arch for climbing plants to fit harmoniously into the design of a garden plot, you need to carefully consider its style, decoration, material of manufacture and calculate the dimensions.

The material of the supporting structure must be wear-resistant, resistant to corrosion and climatic changes.

Also, when choosing a material, you need to think about the location of the arch in the country house. It should fit harmoniously into the surrounding landscape and represent a single complex with other decorative and architectural elements of the site.

Using various materials and shapes, you can achieve the desired impression: style, fairy tale or chic - as much as your imagination and resources allow

Forged arch

A very elegant option that combines reliability and beauty. Modern forged structures are made in the form of models with thin elegant lines and many small details intertwined into a intricate pattern.

A forged arch with openwork elements is good in itself

This design does not particularly require floral decoration.

The great advantage of such arches is the ability to fully use their decorative properties even in the cold season. Also, for them it is not necessary to use completely entwined plants, because even with a small number of them, forged compositions look attractive.

Metal arch

Metal is a durable and reliable material, but only with proper and regular care. It is susceptible to corrosion, and therefore requires priming with special compounds and painting.

Metal arches are durable and strong, subject to correctly calculated loads and proper care

Metal structures must be coated with at least two layers of alkyd enamel.

The simplest version of such an arch for flowers in the countryside is arcs connected and built into the ground. However, it is not well suited for heavy plants and is also rarely truly aesthetically pleasing.

Using a metal arch with a bench it is easy to create a cozy place to relax

More practical and attractive models are welded, made from parts of rods and fittings. To make such a design yourself, you will need a welding machine.

The most durable are galvanized metal arches

Arch with gabion base

Gabions are artificially created structures made of galvanized wire, wood and stone. The wire mesh used must have high strength. There is even a special type of this material - “gabion” mesh. It is also used to form the semicircular top of a wooden arch.

Gabions can be used to create structures of various shapes

Basically, gabions are used as a base for a flower arch in the garden, which adds stability and massiveness to it, and also allows it to fit harmoniously into the surrounding space of the garden plot. Their use avoids the need to pour a concrete foundation or dig a stand into the ground. In addition, reinforcement joints are built from gabions, forming separate sections for placing flower pots.

Wooden arch

Wooden structures fit best into almost any style of landscape design. Breeds of warm colors can bring coziness to the area. When making it yourself, the semicircular top is often measured against a horizontal crossbar.

A wooden arch with climbing roses looks beautiful

A wooden arch with flowers in the garden can be made the center of an entire architectural composition consisting of a garden set, trellises and gazebos.

However, the service life of wood is short, and in order for the created structure to last as long as possible, it must be treated with an antiseptic. Also, to prevent rotting, pollination with insecticides and painting with special paint are periodically required.

A wooden arch can separate the garden part of the plot from the vegetable garden

Arch made of plastic

The cheapest option. You can buy a ready-made arch made of PVC or polypropylene, or make it yourself from scraps of water pipes. Plastic has a wide variety of shapes and colors, but has low stability and an extremely short service life.

Plastic arches are more suitable as a support for annual plants

Plastic is sensitive to temperature changes, so structures made from it should not be located near open sources of fire, and must also be brought indoors during the cold season.

Plastic arches can be used as a support for climbing plants, as a decorative element or as a way to zone an area. But as a support for heavy plants, benches or gazebos, they are completely unsuitable due to the unreliability of the structure.

Plastic arches are often equipped with convenient flower containers

Stone arch

This design is practically unsuitable as a support for plants, and it is used mainly for decorative purposes as an independent element. The materials used are natural or artificial stone, brick or poured concrete. When manufacturing, it is worth taking into account the weight of the elements, and for structures that are more difficult than standard rectangular arches, use special equipment or resort to the help of professionals.

A stone arch will create a medieval atmosphere in the garden

An arch made of natural stone looks good over the path, leading to the far corner of the garden plot

Stone arches look majestic and monumental, and due to the durability of the material, you should carefully choose their location. So, these structures are impressive at the entrance to the site, on the central path or near the garden pond.

Living arches

A very special type of support structures are compositions consisting exclusively of living plants. It takes a long time to create them, but the result is worth the effort. Thus, arches and entire corridors are created from trees bent in a certain way and intertwined with tree tops. Ready-made vines are also used to form arbors.

It takes many years to form a living arch

Willow is most often used to grow hedges.

The advantage of these options, in addition to their high aesthetic value, is the ability to use them on a site of almost any size and compatibility with any style of landscape design.

Required dimensions

Typical drawing with dimensions

Trellis for grapes are installed according to the drawings before planting the seedlings. The supports are installed in advance according to the manufacturing instructions, because if the bushes grow for 1-2 years, then there is a risk of damage to the roots when installing the support posts.

Remember that you need to start pruning and shaping the grapes 2 seasons after planting. At this time, the future shape of the bush is created.

The optimal height of the trellis is 1.6-2.2 m from the ground, it is enough for convenient work and it allows you to cover plants for the winter. For the frame, according to the manufacturing instructions, it is permissible to use pipes with a diameter of at least 32-57 mm; it is advisable to use galvanized copper or stainless steel wire with a thickness of 2-4 mm, hanging it at intervals of at least 60 cm.

It is better to use hardwood with a cross section of 100-120 mm. You can use a 15x15 cm beam or a round log with the bark removed; their lower part is treated with resin or copper sulfate to provide protection from rotting. Wood should not be used for a two-plane support. Before use, the material must be treated with antifungal compounds, then it will last at least 7 years.

It is undesirable to make gazebos, arches and pergolas for grapes taller than 3.2 m; the high height of the vineyard makes maintenance work very difficult.

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Wooden trellis

The simplest and lightest trellis design is considered to be rectangular, made of wood. The sizes may be different, but you need to remember that a support for grapes and a support for clematis are quite different. Let's look at how to do it now.

A wooden trellis is a simple structure. The final cost of the trellis depends on the materials you choose. A picket fence is best suited for these purposes. A special advantage of such a support is that it is an original addition to the garden plot at any time of the year.

Modern trellis

Preparation

To make a trellis you will need the following tools:

screwdriver (or screwdriver);
sandpaper;
building level;
brush.

From the materials you will need to select:

46 picket strips;
100 screws;
1-2 cans of varnish.

The amount of the specified material will be sufficient to create a standard support, since the average height of the picket fence is 1.7 m.

Progress

Knock down a rectangle or square

You can collect the trellis directly on the ground, but professionals recommend using a wooden or plastic stand with a flat and smooth surface. The algorithm of actions consists of the following stages:

A square is made from 4 slats. The ends are fixed together using screws

It is important to measure and maintain an angle of 90º. Each action is accompanied by a check using a building level to ensure a high-quality support as a result.

Then, moving from one rail to another, words to the right or vice versa, fix the picket fence. We turn the structure over and perform the same steps again to get a lattice as a result.

Stuffing slats

To protect the resulting trellis from rain and snow, it is necessary to cover it with 1–2 layers of varnish or paint, depending on the landscape design. Only after complete drying the support is installed in a permanent place. If we are talking about the wall of a house or outbuilding, then there is no need to fasten it tightly. The resulting gap will be a more successful option for climbing plants, since the stems will be able to weave freely without encountering obstacles on their way.

Grapes cling to the trellis

The trellis can also be installed directly on the garden bed. To do this, a couple of wooden posts are dug into the ground next to the plants, to which the structure is attached using nails or self-tapping screws. If you want to fence off a recreation area, you can use structures that are placed along the garden path. This original solution will look amazing.

For cucumbers

What is a garden trellis

Every gardener and site owner tries to give his garden an original and unique look. Today, there are many ways and means to improve the territory in landscape design. The most versatile element of garden landscaping is the garden trellis.

A trellis is a vertical frame made of intertwined and intersecting wooden, metal or plastic rods, used as a support or screen for climbing plants, vines, fruit trees, which is widely used in landscaping gardens, balconies and interior spaces.

What is the difference between a trellis and a pergola?

People often mistakenly confuse these two names, and this is not surprising, because they are intended for decorating and improving the garden and are considered small objects of landscape architecture. Yet what is the main difference? Firstly, both the pergola and the trellis, both serve to support climbing and hanging plants. So:

A trellis is a vertical frame used to support climbing plants and help them grow upward.
A pergola is an architectural structure with horizontal and vertical beams, which also serves as a support for climbing plants and creates a solid space between two columns. It is used to create shadow along a path or on the way from one structure to another.

What plants can it be used for?

10 plants that are ideal for trellises:

Nasturtium “Pearl of Africa” is a plant that blooms profusely and is characterized by vigorous creeping;
Clematis "Henry" is one of the most ancient varieties of clematis;
Campis rooting is a perennial plant of the Bignoniaceae family, a liana with long shoots and amazingly beautiful flowers;
Clematis of all types;
Climbing rose "Zephirine Drouin";
Morning glory;
Bougainvillea;
Wisteria "Blue Moon";
Thunbergia winged is a perennial climbing plant also called black-eyed Susan vine;
Madagascar jasmine.

Materials for making trellises

Trellis are made from different materials - natural or artificial. The most popular ones are wood, metal, plastic. It is noteworthy that by making a structure from branches, you can simultaneously clear the area of debris. Here are a couple of examples of popular materials suitable for creating trellises.

Wooden

Ideal wood species for constructing trellises:

larch;
oak;
pine;
birch.

A wooden trellis is made from narrow planks. The width of one such strip is 15-17 mm. The structure can only be made of intersecting planks - single or double. But there are models where wide frame strips are made around the perimeter of the grille. The finished product can be installed immediately, but it can also be varnished or painted. Then it will last in the open air for more than one year. It is best to bring a trellis indoors that has not been treated with protective impregnation for winter.

Metal

Models made from reinforcement do not have to be made by welding. The rods can be crossed in a weaving pattern, leaving equal space between them. At the crossing points, the rods are tightened using strong wire or a sword. But for grapevines and other plants with woody branches, such structures will be fragile. But for lightweight crops, a rod iron trellis is perfect.

Tall fan-shaped decorative metal trellis for planting clematisSource livemaster.ru

Types of grape trellises

Modern supports have a beautiful shape and decorate the garden. Trellis allow you to zone a plot or create a hedge of grapes. Structures are divided into columnar and arched. The supports are made of plastic, wood or metal. There are one- and two-plane trellises.

Single-plane trellis

The simplest type of design. Single-row supports for grapes are suitable for northern climate zones and regions with short sunny days. The structure consists of 1 plane on which all the green mass is located. The supports are concrete pillars and wooden beams. For better durability, single-plane trellises are cemented to a depth of 0.5 m. The side supports are secured with inclined beams.

Features of single-plane buildings:

low construction costs;
easy access to shoots for pruning;
ventilation and lighting of the plant;
purpose (for low-growing grape varieties);
the ability to place vegetable beds or flower beds between the rows;
the need for timely pruning, otherwise the plant will quickly thicken.

Double row

Used for growing a large number of vines. Two-plane supports are suitable for regions with moist and fertile soil. The grape trellis consists of 2 parallel planes designed for growing one row of bushes.

V-shaped trellis

It is erected by analogy with a single-plane structure. The supports are installed at an angle of 45° opposite each other. The base of the pillars is combined. The distance between the supports in the lower part is up to 50 cm, and in the upper part – up to 110 cm. The recommended height of the supports is 2 m.

L-shaped or semi-arch

The structure is called a pergola - it is a canopy made of transverse crossbars and load-bearing pillars. L-shaped supports are made of wood or metal. A semi-arch takes up little space, so it is suitable for zoning a site. The minimum height is 2.5 meters. Pergolas are difficult to design and build yourself.

Y-post

This grape support is made of metal or wood. The lower part of the structure is in one plane, and then the pillars diverge at an angle of 45–60°. The stands are suitable for well-lit beds. The distance between the pillars at the top is kept to 90 cm. The design is suitable for growing grapes in all regions of the country.

Features of Y-Rack:

the vines are constantly ventilated;
suitable for growing vigorous varieties;
creates shade for the soil.

T-shaped design

The structure is suitable for productive plant varieties. The tied vines are distributed between 3-4 tiers, which promotes uniform illumination of the foliage. The upper supporting strips are fixed at an angle of 90°. The recommended height of the pillars is 160–200 cm, and the total length of the horizontal planks is 150 cm, leaving 3 meters between rows.

Advantages of T-shaped design:

good ventilation of bushes;
the garter provides free access to the plant for wasps, bees, and bumblebees;
high density of growing bushes;
abundant shade from plants (the soil is always moist).

Arch support

You can grow several varieties of plants at the same time. Arches take up a lot of space, and to harvest from the arches you will have to use a stepladder. It is better to grow frost-resistant grape varieties on such structures. Arches are assembled from reinforcement, wooden planks, and profile pipes.

Features of arched supports:

suitable for fast-growing varieties with heavy and bulky foliage;
well illuminated by the sun;
are expensive.

Decorative trellises for grapes

The structures are used to set up a recreation area at the dacha. Trellis are placed along walls, fences and other barriers to give buildings a more beautiful appearance. Decorative supports are made of wood. They grow wild grapes that do not need pruning.

As they grow, the runs are tied to the structure. Wild grapes are watered regularly. The design of the structure can be anything. Forged structures are considered more durable. Metal gratings are coated with primer and paint to protect against rust.

Peculiarities

For those who are not at all versed in garden art, first you need to understand what supports currently exist and what their features and differences are from each other.

Metal structures

Most often, metal, metal mesh and arches are used to create strong supports; they are loved for their practicality. They can be attached to a fence or wall, or simply fixed next to a flower. The most common type of such fastening is metal mesh. It can be found in any specialty store. After installation, this “metal scale” seems unsightly and even spoils the appearance of the garden. But as soon as the first greenery and flowers appear, all this beauty immediately hides the mesh.

In addition to meshes, metal products such as pipes or wire are also popular among gardeners. If the material has been previously used, it must be sanded, primed, and painted. Typically, such columns are painted white, black or green.

Plastic

A plastic structure will also work for support. The main feature of this material is that it is very light and practical. Even a person who has never held garden tools in his life can handle installing the plastic support. Another advantage of this material is that it can be decorated.

Wooden supports

The main advantage of wood is that it is an environmentally friendly material. In addition, if the tree is young, the support will be strong and will last for many years. To support flowers, you can simply install small posts and create a small fence along which green shoots will weave. The designs of the original shape look especially interesting. For example, a fence consisting of boards of different lengths, or a fence woven in an antique style. To work with wood, you only need boards and strong nails.

Bamboo supports

Material such as bamboo deserves special attention. It is lighter than regular wood, but no less durable. Bamboo supports are used to support climbing plants. Bamboo supports work best for plants such as vines, clematis and some types of roses. Against the backdrop of a bamboo base, their green foliage looks incredibly beautiful.

Coconut

Another non-standard type of support for flowers is coconut. Its main feature is that it is extremely durable. Coconut structures are usually used to form some large flowers or bushes. This option is good for plants in floor tubs and for garden flowers. Creating a coconut support will take a little work.

It is based on a simple wooden stick, which is coated with metal wire for strength and decorated with coconut fiber. It is not surprising that such a design can withstand even the heaviest weight of the “green friend”. You can buy coke fiber at any gardening store. All types of flower supports are good in their own way. Therefore, when choosing an option for your garden, you need to look at the characteristics of each subspecies.

Materials and their features

Decorative garden structures can be built from a variety of materials, modern or traditional. The choice depends on the functions assigned to the element, the overall design of the site and the house. Each of the materials has its own advantages.

Wooden

The arch made of natural wood is light and beautiful. The wooden model creates a special cozy atmosphere on the site. The material is environmentally friendly, does not harm nature, is affordable, and is therefore in great demand. In order for a tree to serve for a long time, it must be properly cared for. The material is susceptible to swelling and rotting, so it needs to be treated with an antiseptic, moisture-resistant and fire-retardant compounds. It is not difficult to change the appearance of an arch in the garden; you just need to paint it in the color you like or cover it with stain, giving it a beautiful shade. Natural wood structures coated with a transparent protective varnish look good.

Plastic

Manufacturers produce hundreds of different models of arches for flowers in the country (you can see the photo). Plastic structures are easy to install, carry and wash. Disadvantages:

Plastic is highly flammable.
Fragile, cannot withstand mechanical damage.
May crack in the cold.

But plastic is inexpensive, so replacing a product that has become unusable is not difficult.

You can assemble a plastic decorative element yourself. To do this, you need to find a sufficient number of strips and pipes and purchase fasteners. Then draw a diagram and assemble the arch.

Important! Plastic arches must be installed no closer than 10 meters from a brazier, barbecue or other source of fire.

Metal

Metal structures are strong and durable. You can weld them yourself; any thin metal pipe or rod is suitable for production. Ready-made prefabricated and one-piece structures are also available for sale. Caring for such structures is simple; you just need to regularly treat them with anti-rust compounds. The metal structure is universal. For example, solid forged arches are suitable for a large garden in a country cottage, and lightweight prefabricated arches are suitable for a summer house. However, elements welded from thin rods may bend under the flower mass.

Stone structures look solid, impressive, and last a very long time. The only thing is that they can become overgrown with moss, and chips appear on the stones over time. They build monumental structures from dolomite, cobblestones, shell rock, and clay bricks. The shape and size of the arch can be any. These structures do not require additional decoration; they already create a special atmosphere on the site.

Stone can be combined with wrought iron flower arches to create an unusual architectural grouping. But in order to build a stone structure, you need to have construction skills. If they are absent, it is better to contact a professional.

Other types of design

Depending on the design, trellises can be of various types. Before you start building a support, you need to study all these types.

Columnar

This is the simplest type of support structure for grapes. It consists of several posts, between which a wire or metal cable is stretched horizontally.

It is easy to make such a trellis for grapes with your own hands, even without special diagrams. It is necessary to dig holes at least 60 cm deep. Install support pillars in them, fill the holes with clay and compact them thoroughly. You can fill it with concrete to make the resulting structure even more durable.

Then the wire is stretched between the pillars. It is stretched horizontally in several rows with intervals between them of about 50 cm.

A columnar trellis can be single-plane or double-plane. In the first case, the columns are installed in one row, and in the second - in two, with intervals of 60-120 cm between them.

Half-arch

The made support for grapes has a curved top, reminiscent of a canopy. A shadow is created under it, so a bench or even a small table can be placed under this structure. However, in this case, the shadow is obtained only on one side, which is why you will have to either use portable outdoor furniture or select a different type of trellis.

Semi-arched support structures are suitable for cases where the area for planting grapes is small. In this case, the grape bushes are planted in one row. Moreover, a summer resident can grow several varieties of grapes at once, with different ripening times. But they need to be planted in groups, not mixed together.

This is a fairly common do-it-yourself trellis for grapes. The advantage of this design is that with its help you can get a fairly large shaded area. And under it you can place not only country furniture, but even a car.

Arched trellises require quite a lot of space. Many people prefer to build a structure right at the entrance to the yard, thereby creating an impromptu garage for the summer.

In this case, the grapes are planted in two rows. You can plant different varieties on each side without fear that the variety will be spoiled during self-pollination.

Arched structures look quite beautiful, but making them yourself can be problematic. Moreover, this requires quite a lot of materials. In addition, in the future the process of pruning old grape shoots may become difficult.

Pergola

This is a type of arched trellis. Suitable for vigorous hybrids that do not have enough space on single-plane or double-plane trellises.

This design has the following advantages:

Each leaf is well illuminated by the sun, which ensures normal photosynthesis.
The clusters sag freely and do not come into contact with the vine. This not only prevents the development of fungal infections, but also facilitates the process of harvesting grapes.
Bushes are easy to treat with special compounds. Usually it is enough to cover only the lower part of the bushes with antifungal drugs.

Pergolas are made from metal or wood. But the classic option is a metal structure. It consists of several arches connected to each other by a lattice ceiling.

Pergola supports are made from metal pipes with a diameter of 50-80 mm. Their height above ground level should be 2-2.2 m. And the crossbars are made from pipes with a diameter of up to 30 mm. To create the grating, reinforcement with a diameter of 12-18 mm is used.

Pergola for grapes

It is necessary to dig holes 50-60 cm deep into which support pillars will be installed. They can be fixed with concrete, due to which the resulting structure will be more reliable. Then the crossbars are welded and the sheathing is made.

Grape bushes are planted in rows - on two or all four sides. This design looks beautiful and will fit into any summer cottage.

Pergola

The pergola consists of several sections united by wooden beams. We attach the structure to the house, creating a canopy, or place it as a separate building. At the base we plant climbing plants, which in a few years will completely cover the space between the sections.

In addition to supporting plants, the pergola performs a number of other functions:

zones the space;
protects from the scorching sun and strong wind;
serves as a decorative element of the garden exterior;
covers utility rooms from which it is necessary to shift the emphasis.

From plastic pipes and fittings

Trellis for grapes

There is nothing complicated in the technology described above, and everyone can cope with the task. But what if you need a stronger support, for example, for grapes? In this case, it is best to give preference to plastic pipes and fittings.

Can be assembled from plastic pipes

To arrange a trellis you need:

10 mm iron reinforcement (length - 3 m);
white polyvinyl chloride pipe (diameter – 13 mm, length – 6 m);
metal clamps with a screw leg;
grinder (or hacksaw);
hammer;
wrench.

First of all, all measurements and calculations are carried out. The width of the planned site is 2.5–3 m, and the length will depend on the wishes of the owners or depending on the amount of available materials. The whole process can then be divided into several main stages:

Using a grinder, cut the reinforcement into two equal parts (1.5 m each).
Pieces of reinforcement are driven into the corners of the outlined area to a depth of 50 cm.
In the resulting span, at a distance of 1 m from each other, repeat the steps for the internal supports.
Plastic pipes are placed on all driven pieces of reinforcement. The result is a finished support row for the trellis.
Horizontal jumpers in the form of the same plastic pipes are secured using metal clamps with a screw leg. The pitch is on average 80 cm.

Made of plastic

The rigid support can easily withstand heavy loads, so you can safely plant grapes around it.

Instructions on how to make a garden arch

The simplest design can be made from metal-plastic pipes used for water supply in apartments.

You need to prepare two identical pieces of pipe. Their length is the sum of the height of the arch multiplied by 2, plus 1 m for bending, plus 1 m for digging into the ground (50 cm at both ends).

The most difficult thing is to bend the pipes equally and insert their ends into pre-prepared holes in the ground. They can be drilled with a drill, which fishermen use in winter.

Then you need to pour concrete into the holes and fix them until it hardens. When the two arcs are securely fastened, you can decorate them with climbing plants.

Mesh trellis for climbing roses and clematis

A mesh trellis is a common type of support for roses and clematis. For its construction, a metal mesh with large green cells, coated with PVC, is best suited. Strong and durable material easily supports the weight of the plant and perfectly holds the shape of the bush. A simplified version of the design consists of two posts driven into the ground and a rope mesh stretched between them. Step-by-step instructions for the option with twine:

We first mark the location of the trellis.
We dig holes, insert metal posts or wooden beams into them and bury them.
We coat the pillars with paint or varnish to improve their decorative characteristics. It is better to use water-based paint, which will protect the supports from rotting and rust.
We stretch the mesh between the posts. The openwork support for delicious clematis and lush climbing roses is ready.

Plastic mesh on metal supports - simple, reliable, neat

Places to install the arch

It doesn’t matter where the arch will be installed, near the house, gate or somewhere on the territory, it will always be a spectacular decorative element. Having installed the arch, you can think through the entire further design of the site.

A garden arch placed on a path running through the lawn looks great. It can be done in subtle shades or bright colors that will contrast with the elements around it.

The swing can be installed under an arch entwined with greenery. In this case, you will be able to enjoy relaxing in the shade of plants even on the hottest day. You can place several arches along the path or make only one for the entire area.

A stone arch will help recreate the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

The most traditional option is to place an arch near the gate.

DIY design

First of all, it is important to decide on the location of the future installation. These can be well-lit areas that promote the active development of climbing perennials. As an option, you can offer an open area surrounded by outbuildings

And since the trellises stand bare for more than 3-5 months, they must be in harmony with other elements of landscape design

As an option, you can offer an open area surrounded by outbuildings. And since the trellises stand bare for more than 3-5 months, they must be in harmony with other elements of the landscape design.

Beech beams will serve as support. In order for the installation to last at least 10 years, they must be treated with antiseptics in advance and immersed to the optimal depth. Between the support rails, fasteners should be installed that can support bulky plant shoots. Installations with mobile elements are especially popular. With their help, you can change the height and width of the trellis at any time.

To avoid technical errors, it is better to draw up a drawing

It is important to indicate on it not only the dimensions, but also the placement features of the support posts, horizontal strips, side elements and arch beams

Made of wood

Well-dried materials will be useful in the work. The basis should be ash or beech wood. The base of the structure can be made of beams with a width of at least 3 cm. For internal filling you will need slats made of larch or pine. By connecting these elements with self-tapping screws, you should get neat triangles, squares or arches

In your work, it is important to follow step-by-step instructions for creating the most popular wooden trellises:

Dig a trench for support posts with a depth of at least 55 cm. The optimal distance between the beams is 2 m.
Attach the longitudinal bars to the base using screws or steel angles.
Form the correct installation shape using a building level. All corners of the rectangle must be right.
Fill the gap with slats.
Impregnate the wood with antifungal compounds and paint.

It is better to assemble the structure on the ground, and only then attach it to the wall of the house or install it in the garden.

From the branches

The optimal thickness of such supports is 2 cm. To assemble the trellis yourself, you will need pruners, wire and pliers. This is the fastest and most inexpensive way to create a structure designed for growing cucumbers and climbing flowers. First you need to insert several rods into the ground. Then, every 13–15 cm, fix the remaining elements of the homemade installation. This will continue until a span of 1.2 m is achieved.

The intersections of the rods should be secured with metal wire, and protruding branches should be trimmed with pruning shears. The result should be a structure with diamond-shaped cells. In late autumn, the branches can be removed from the ground and taken to the barn for storage. In the spring they will be needed again for the manufacture of low-weight supports.

Other options

The strongest trellises are made from plastic pipes. It is better to use products with a diameter of at least 50 mm. Their advantages include light weight, good weather resistance and the ability to quickly install without the help of specialists. Self-tapping screws facilitate better fastening of horizontal supports, and the viability of the pipe itself often depends on the quality of the reinforcement.

If plants are grown for sale, you need to make an inclined trellis. Semi-arches are more suitable for creating shady areas near the house. Corrosion-resistant composite rods can be used as supports. If you have a limited budget but a lot of imagination, bicycle wheels and tractor tires will do.

Varieties

The easiest way to classify rose trellises is by the shape that a support covered with greenery can create. In this sense, a huge number of varieties can be distinguished, because the best gardeners even build full-fledged pyramids and ladders, but most often one of three trellis options is found.

Arch. Traditional design of an entrance somewhere. In a personal plot, this could be the entrance to a residential building or gazebo, and if zoning is provided in the garden, then to one of the zones. Trellis-arches, which are also often called pergolas, need attention to their stability, because the weight of the greenery can be quite significant.

Arched structures

Arches are the best support for climbing plants during the period of active growth. Most plants “crawl” up metal rods on their own, without requiring additional tying or weaving. To ensure reliability of the structure, it is better to fix the supports in the ground or weld them to a metal base.

One of the main functions of a garden arch is zoning. We place it at the entrance to the house, above the path or in front of the recreation area. Arched structures are convenient not only for growing ornamental plants, but also do an excellent job with cucumbers, peas, and beans.

How to choose the right material

Before you start creating a trellis, you should decide on the type of plant, location and design of the future structure. Rectangular one- or two-plane structures made of metal or strong wood such as pine, oak, larch, and ash are well suited for grapes.

For agricultural plants, such as cucumbers, some varieties of zucchini, and raspberries, the strength of the material also plays an important role. Arched and lattice types of trellis are suitable for ornamental plants. But light and graceful plants such as thunbergia or morning glory will look good on all types of garden trellises and arches. There is no need for heavy structures to decorate these flowers; they look equally good on iron, wood, bamboo or wire structures.

For a grape trellis, the height of the structure is calculated to be slightly higher than human height, 190-200 cm, so that harvesting is convenient. But often the length of the support pillars reaches 3 meters. The height of the trellis for cucumbers does not exceed 180 cm, for tomatoes - 150 cm, for eggplants - 1.5 - 2 meters.

The dimensions of decorative trellis structures are calculated individually based on design and wishes.