Trellises are a wonderful architectural element to incorporate into your yard or garden.  Not only do they provide a support structure for climbing plants and vines, but they also add a visual focal point to your landscape.  When it comes to trellises, there are as many different designs and styles as you can think of.  Literally, your imagination is the limit, particularly if you're going to build your own trellis.  In this article, we'll explore some of the various trellis designs that you might want to consider for your yard.

Obelisks, also known as pyramid trellises, are a very popular design.  Large obelisks that stand 6 foot or taller can provide a really nice focal point for a landscape.  Obelisks can be constructed of many different types of materials, though wood is usually the most popular.  For a natural look, the wood can be stained or coated with a sealant.  If you want a splash of color, consider painting it a bright color to coordinate with the trim on your house.  For something that requires less maintenance, you might want to consider buying an obelisk in a lifetime vinyl material or a rust-free metal.  These products are usually easy to find in specialty garden stores online or through mail order catalogs.

Another nice design is the freestanding patio trellis.  These trellises are actually portable, allowing you to move them around your yard, patio, or garden as needed.  Portable trellises typically feature a pot or planter of some kind at the base, so you can plant climbing flowers or vines to grow up the structure.  Other patio trellises have no planter base, but the trellis itself is particularly decorative or colorful, so rather than providing a support structure for plants, it can simply be used as an outdoor privacy screen.  Along those same lines, multiple trellises can be put together to create a large landscape screen that can shelter a patio, provide privacy for a deck, or cover unsightly clutter, garbage cans, or AC units.

Other trellis designs include those that are shaped to look like something, such as a favorite breed of dog, or a tunnel or small playhouse for your kids to enjoy.  With these trellises, it's important to choose the type of climbing plant carefully.  For a smaller shaped trellis, choose a very dense climber with small leaves, so that the plant will closely follow the shape of the trellis underneath.  Ivy is a good climbing plant choice that will fit this bill.  For larger structures like a tunnel, choose a climbing plant with large leaves that will grow quickly to cover the entire structure in one season.  Even a squash plant can be trained to do this, and you'll have the added benefit of some fresh produce, too.

No matter what type of trellis design you choose, make sure that it compliments your overall landscaping plan and the style of your house.  The right trellis design can improve curb appeal and provide a point of visual interest in your yard, creating something special that you'll enjoy looking at for years to come.