Climbing/vining plants are a unique opportunity to add some personality to your landscape and container plantings. The key to these plants, it training them to grow in the direction you want. Some well-loved climbers like clematis, roses, and tropicals like mandevilla are stunners when trellised properly. So let’s go over some of the trellis and companion plant options we carry here at Superior Garden Center and how we like to use them.
Flat Trellis
A flat Trellis is the most common way of training vining plants. They come in many shapes, sizes, and styles to fit what you’re looking for. They work well against walls or narrow spaces along walks. They also can be small enough to fit in your pots for container plantings. A flat trellis can also be used to make a small privacy screen next to a patio.
Arched Trellis
Arches are amazing along paths, or if you are transitioning from one area of your landscape to another. Arches create an amazing focal point where you can enjoy blooms from all angles.
We also like to use arches in my food garden. You can train blackberries and tomatoes on them for easy picking. All you have to do is weave the branches through and around the arch as it grows. Then you can easily walk under them while picking, and you won’t have to break your back bending over.
Obelisks
Obelisks are a lesser-known type of trellis but are just as stunning. They are a 3D upright trellis perfect for areas of your landscape or containers that are visible from every angle. One of our favorite things to do with obelisks is to use them in seasonal containers. We’ll use them as a trellis for a tropical climber in the summer, then fill them with gourds in the fall and ornaments and lights in the winter.
Climbing Plants
When looking into climbing plants for a trellis, there are 2 directions you can go: a tropical that has gorgeous color from May-September such as passion vine and mandevilla. Or options like climbing roses, clematis, and climbing hydrangea that will return year after year. You can also go even bigger by consider wisteria for pergolas and pavilions.
By trellising plants you are able to achieve height in your landscape and create more square footage below for other to accent plants. If you want to incorporate a trellis into your landscape or pots and have the opportunity to try some of these beloved climbing plant options, the staff at Superior Garden Center is here to help!
