Build a trellis for clematis yourself - this is how it works

Build a trellis for clematis yourself - this is how it works

Material and tool list

In the nature-loving hobby garden, wood is very popular as a building material for climbing aids. Types of wood such as oak, larch, chestnut or noble robinia are suitable. In addition, all conifers are suitable for the trellis of a clematis. These materials and tools are required:

  • Wooden posts as crossbars in 25 x 25 or 30 x 30 mm thickness
  • Wooden boards for the trellis battens
  • Trellis anchors for wall mounting
  • Self-tapping screws
  • Hammer, cordless screwdriver and drill

also read

  • Build a climbing aid for clematis yourself - this is how an obelisk succeeds
  • Set up climbing aids for clematis properly - this is how it works
  • How high does the clematis grow? - Clematis growth overview

The wall anchors should be long enough for a sufficient distance of 6-10 cm between the clematis and the wall so that the air can circulate freely here. If you decide on a wall distance of 5 cm, this requires the annual removal of the tendrils that have grown behind.

Clematis species defines the battens on the trellis

Within the diverse clematis family, species and varieties with a wide variety of petiole lengths are represented. Therefore, adjust the spacing of the wooden slats to the selected clematis. A mighty Clematis montana is quite capable of encompassing a slat up to 9 cm in diameter. Smaller varieties, such as Clematis texensis, on the other hand, are delicate and require a correspondingly narrow climbing aid.

As a leaf-stalk tendril, the clematis generally prefers a trellis in a grid-like arrangement. Therefore, follow these steps when building:

  • Depending on the height of the wall, fix 2, 3 or more strong cross members using the trellis anchors
  • Indent the anchors 20-30 cm so that they remain invisible
  • Fix the wooden slats vertically with the self-tapping screws

Please note the special regulations for attaching a trellis to facades with insulation. In this case, special spacer systems are used, such as support bodies, which must first be attached with a cylinder drill. Only then is the trellis anchor attached to the supporting subsurface.

Tips & Tricks

Have the profiles of wooden cross members beveled slightly in the hardware store. This trick prevents the formation of stagnant water and reduces the risk of fungal infections on the clematis.