We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What is a Patio Trellis?

By C. Webb
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGeek is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGeek, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

A patio trellis is any structure attached to a patio that is used to promote vertical growth of climbing plants. There are many different designs, from simple four by four posts with interwoven wood to vinyl and concrete. When deciding what kind of patio trellis to get, a gardener should first decide what plants are going to be growing. This is a project that can be custom built by the home owner, put up by a landscaper, or purchased already assembled to size for a particular patio. A patio trellis can be a popular addition to any back-yard patio for changing the decor of the landscape, adding privacy, and growing unique plants.

Depending on what the primary function of the patio trellis is going to be, there are many different designs and materials. Some popular choices are wood, decorative metal, and plastic. Cedar is often used due to its affordability, color, and natural aroma. Metal offers either a modern look or an Americana art deco cast iron feel to a patio. Plastic is easy to clean, very affordable, and can be custom made to any size or shape fairly easily.

There are many different plants that will thrive on a patio trellis, and they can serve many purposes. Honeysuckle plants have many variations, but they all share a very pleasant smell. These beautiful flowers also offer good cover for privacy. They are low maintenance, and will basically grow on their own once planted.

Roses are one of the most common plants for the patio trellis. These take a bit more work, and have thorns that can prick the unwary. Roses have many different colors, sizes, and durability. They take some time to grow dense enough for practical privacy, but they will if tended properly.

Many people will grow fruit from trellises. Tomatoes, grapes, and some peppers will climb with ease up the structure. If growing fruit, it is important to have a strong trellis. The plant will get heavy as the fruit grows, and could cause the structure to fall. This could kill the plant, destroying the look of the patio.

Patio trellises have been used since ancient times, and have always given people a practical way to grow and decorate. From vines and flowers to fruits and vegetables, patio trellises have tamed some of the wildest plant life. With so many different designs and materials, these remain one of the most popular additions to back yards.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

By Talentryto — On May 19, 2014

@raynbow- Metal trellises are nice, but you may want to consider a trellis made of heavy plastic or vinyl for your patio. Sometimes metal trellis will rust, but plastic or vinyl trellises will last for years. They also work very well with heavy, vining plants like morning glories.

By Spotiche5 — On May 19, 2014

@raynbow- I think that you will find that a metal trellis will look great next to your patio. Not only will it last for many seasons, but a trellis made of metal will be durable and sturdy enough to hold up heavy vines.

I also think that a metal trellis will be nice for morning glories, though you will want to make sure you get one that is wide enough to accommodate your plants. Morning glories start out small but grow thick and bushy throughout the summer growing season. Therefore, a narrow metal trellis may not be big enough to withstand the weight of your morning glory plants as the vines get thick and heavy.

By Raynbow — On May 18, 2014

I want to put a trellis beside my patio for some morning glories and have been considering the metal variety. Does anyone have any thoughts is this type of trellis would be a good choice to use close to a patio for these plants that like to vine?

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.