4 things you need to know before you buy a garden trellis

Adding a trellis to a space can completely transform it, creating privacy, casting light shade or turning a plain wall into a feature. But choosing the right one isn't so straightforward. With many styles, fixtures and materials available, it's easy to install something that looks good initially but falls apart within a season or two. If you want a trellis that improves your space and stands the test of time, here's how to find one (and why GuardItAll trellises might be perfect for your next garden refurb).

What is the purpose of your trellis

The first thing you need to decide is what you want to achieve with your trellis.

Do you want to create a privacy screening trellis, with a denser pattern for plants to establish more coverage?

Are you looking for a decorative feature? A more open design can break up brickwork without overpowering a space, and our bare metal trellises can blend into a wall, keeping the focus on the plants.

Do you only care about how a trellis supports your plants? A sturdy design is essential (all of our trellises use 3mm case-hardened steel, so they can withstand the weight of the heaviest climbing roses or wisteria)

Consider durability.

Wood trellises may look attractive when first installed, but exposure to rain and frost can make them warp, rot, or fall apart entirely. If you don't want to be replacing it every couple of seasons, consider a metal option, like one of our designs with a protective coating designed for outdoor use. A robust steel trellis can resist weather and maintain its shape with minimal maintenance for years. Our steel trellises are available either as bare metal, which develops a natural patina and blends in beautifully to brick walls, or powder coated in nylon for improved durability and weather resistance.

Size up your trellis.

A big challenge in selecting a trellis is scale, a single large trellis can be cumbersome, heavy, and difficult to install, particularly in tighter access areas. This is where modular systems (like our Trellis Network) can come in handy. All the products in the range are designed to be placed flush against each other, to allow you to create larger trellis displays from multiple panels, or create custom designs and patterns that go around doorways and windows without ugly seams. It also has the benefit of being able to be upgraded or resized without a full replacement if in the future your climbing plants grow too high.

Extra considerations:

Don't overlook small spaces:

Not every wall needs full height coverage, smaller balconies, kitchen garden areas and patios can all benefit from compact but functional trellises like our Herb Trellis with Shelf, which features support for smaller climbing plants, and a shelf to display herbs or potted plants, without dominating the space.

Check the fixing surface:

Always ensure you have the proper equipment to affix your trellis to wherever you are mounting it. For most installations you will need stainless steel or galvanised screws, and for bricks you will want wall plugs to provide grip for the screws.

Plan for the future:

You don't want to tear down your trellis because your plants have grown too big or heavy, so make sure to find a trellis suitable for the full sized version of whatever climber you are looking to cultivate, not just for how big it is now to avoid disappointment.

Check out our range of trellises and garden products to upgrade your garden this Easter.