How to Choose a Garden Trellis in the UK - Buying Guide
The right trellis can truly transform your garden. Fortunately, finding the perfect one isn't too difficult a task, there are just a few things you'll need to consider. Read on for our buying guide, where we'll reveal everything you need to know!
1
Before Buying, Decide Exactly How You’d Like to Use Your Garden Trellis
Their often large size may have lead you to perceive garden trellises as somewhat cumbersome objects. However, they're actually one of the most versatile garden accessories out there, which can serve several impressive purposes.
Trellises Provide Support for Climbing Plants and Vegetables
Nowadays, trellises are used in various ways, but their primary purpose has always been to aid the growth of climbing plants and vegetables. Their flat surface and series of vertical and horizontal supports provide the perfect place for training plants to grow upwards.
By default, any trellis can be used for this purpose, but if healthy vegetable growth or a wall covered in flowers is your goal, we recommend something sturdy, durable, and tall enough to accommodate the eventual growth you wish to achieve. Something made from wood or iron is always a safe bet.
A flat trellis is ideal for growth as it provides an easy surface for plants to climb and weave through. It's, therefore, best to try and steer away from curved or ornate trellises if growth is your main aim. Try and keep it as simple as possible.
Use Ornate Trellises to Decorate and Add Flourish to Your Garden
Although trellises were originally designed to aid the growth of plants, they're now commonly used as ornaments or decorative pieces to transform the overall appearance of a garden. They come in all shapes and sizes, so there's one for pretty much every garden.
A set of small obelisk trellises can really spruce up the borders, while a larger ornamental trellis can serve as an impressive statement piece. We're particularly fond of archway-shaped trellises that can be walked underneath as if you're entering a magical gateway into an enchanting secret garden!
Decorative archways look particularly good interlaced with climbing flowers, and while you might find it a little bit trickier to achieve optimum growth than you would with, say, a flat trellis, the end result can be truly magical.
A Trellis Filled With Flowers Gives You Some Privacy
Perhaps the most intriguing use of a garden trellis is as a means of gaining some privacy while relaxing in your garden. A trellis filled with flowers can provide a makeshift 'floral fence' that serves as a screen to keep out prying eyes while also looking pretty.
However, it takes quite a while to fill a trellis with flowers, which is perhaps why there are lots of trellises available that are already filled with artificial flowers. They don't look quite as good as the real thing, but if privacy is your aim rather than flourishing plant life, they're a great idea.
A flower-filled trellis is a highly effective and less obtrusive alternative to simply propping up a garden fence. It doesn't matter how well you get on with your neighbours - sometimes we all need a little bit of privacy while sunbathing on the lawn!
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Choose Materials That Ensure Durability and Provide Your Desired Look
Whatever purpose you intend to use it for, it's incredibly important to consider the material you'd like your garden trellis to be made from. Naturally, every trellis needs to be made from a material that's weatherproof and durable enough to prop up the plants or vegetables you intend to grow on it.
You may also wish to consider the aesthetic appeal of the material, particularly if you're purchasing it for decorative purposes. Metal can lend a touch of regality to a trellis, while a wooden trellis possesses a rustic look that's perfect for growing fruit and veg.
3
Check the Dimensions to Ensure Your Trellis Will Fulfil Its Purpose
Once you've decided exactly how you'd like to use your trellis, you need to ensure that you pick one in the right size. Not only does it need to be tall enough to accommodate the growth of your climbing plants or vegetables, if it's for decorative purposes, you'll also want to ensure that it's large enough to have an effect without being overbearing.
Width matters too, particularly when it comes to garden trellises intended primarily for growing. Tall trellises are often better for climbing flowers, allowing them extra growing room, while heavy crops often benefit from a wider trellis.
Fortunately, it's extremely easy to find out the dimensions of a garden trellis before you buy — simply take a look at the product description. Once you've got the measurements, just whip out the tape measure for a rough idea of how it will look in your outdoor space.
