Decorating with trellis

Trellis or lattice work is a cheap and versatile form of fencing which you can make yourself, and can be almost as useful in the house as in the garden. Whether you want shelter from the wind, protection from the sun, or just a decorative screen for trailing plants, trellis or lattice will provide an attractive yet functional solution.

Privacy and shelter are very important in a garden, and both can be provided by a fence made of trellis or latticework. This is constructed with wooden slats, which create either a horizontal or diagonal grid-like pattern. It is also a popular form of decoration and plant support, which can form the background of a garden or a division between different areas. This article shows how to use it to advantage.

Uses for trellis
Trellis fencing can either stand on its own, act as an addition on top of a wall or solid fence, or be fixed up against a plain brick wall. It is a good choice of screen, because it gives a feeling of space beyond it. It can be used for several purposes in the garden, either by itself or with plants growing over it.
If you want protection from the sun, a high lattice screen or a section of trellis on top of a wall will create a dappled effect over your garden. Once trailing plants have been encouraged to grow along it, you will soon find that the screen becomes almost opaque.

If you want your trellis to act as a wind break, it is advisable to work out where the windcurrents blow in your garden before fixing it up. The lattice itself is not particularly strong, but if the framework is sturdy and the supporting posts are firmly fixed in the ground, it will serve this purpose adequately.
Trellis work adds interest all the year round to the blank walls of a house, even if there are no plants growing over it. You can even make the trellis work stand out against a dark fence by painting it white, or by using dark stained wood against a light coloured house wall. It can be used to camouflage an ugly garage, and is particularly suitable for training plants against a bargeboard wall, as it can easily be removed when the wood needs repainting.