The Timeless Beauty of Treillage: How to Style Your Garden with Classic Trellis Plants
"Treillage"—the elegant French term for latticework or trellis—has graced gardens since the 17th century when King Louis XIV commissioned intricate designs for the gardens of Versailles. That same diagonal lattice pattern, perfected centuries ago, remains one of the most versatile and beautiful ways to support flowering vines today.
Whether you're growing fragrant Star Jasmine or the romantic 'New Dawn' climbing rose, a well-chosen trellis adds structure, height, and old-world charm to any outdoor space.
This week on my Instagram I posted a beautiful custom trellis that I created for one of my clients. Y’all LOVED seeing this trellis, so I wanted to talk more about in today’s post. You can watch the video here!
A quick note: The stunning trellis in my video is a custom design, but I’ve found a similar style to help you recreate this look at home! We adore bringing the treillage aesthetic to our clients’ gardens—and now, you can too.
How to Install Your Lattice Trellis (Step-by-Step Guide)
1. Unfold and Adjust
This trellis comes assembled and ready to use! Simply expand it accordion-style to your desired width.
◦ For freestanding gardens, use the 93” H by 36” W version.
◦ For walls or balconies, the foldable wall-mount expands to 43” H by 67” W.
2. Wall Mounting
Two mounting brackets are included.
◦ For in-ground planting, position the base securely in soil (FYI—this is not my favorite way.)
◦ For container gardening, place your potted plant directly at the trellis base.
◦ Use optional wall brackets for added stability if attaching to a fence or wall (This is my favorite).
3. Train Your Vine
Young plants like New Dawn Roses and Star Jasmine may need a little help at first. Gently guide early shoots toward the trellis, tucking them through the lattice slats.
For a lush, full look, plant 2-3 vines per trellis (trust me, it’s worth it!).
I like to use these plant clips to help the vines stay in place!
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My Favorite Plants to Grow on a Trellis for Treillage
These are the show-stopping climbers I love using in my clients’ gardens:
‘New Dawn’ Rose
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Description: A soft pink climbing rose that blooms from late spring through fall.
Sun Requirements: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
Watering: Regular, deep watering (1–2 times per week)
Pruning: Light pruning in late winter to remove dead wood and shape growth
Special Notes: Disease-resistant, repeat bloomer, excellent for trellises and arbors
Clematis ‘Jackmanii’
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Description: A classic purple-flowering vine with large, velvety blooms from summer to early fall.
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade (roots prefer shade)
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained
Pruning: prune in late winter/early spring
Special Notes: Fast-growing, ideal for fences and pergolas
Star Jasmine
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8–10 (can survive in Zone 7 with protection)
Description: A luxurious evergreen vine with glossy leaves and intensely fragrant white star-shaped flowers.
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade (best blooms with at least 4–6 hours of sun)
Watering: Moderate; keep soil consistently moist but well-drained
Pruning: Light shaping after spring bloom; can be cut back hard if needed
Wildlife favorite – Attracts pollinators while being deer-resistant
Pro Tip: Train on a trellis near entryways or windows to enjoy the intoxicating scent! Perfect for creating romantic garden arches or covering unsightly fences.
Carolina Jessamine (Aka Carolina Jasmine)
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7–10
Description: A vigorous evergreen vine with bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers in early spring.
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Drought-tolerant once established
Pruning: Trim after flowering to control growth
Special Notes: Fragrant, attracts hummingbirds, toxic if ingested
Mandevilla
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9–11 (but often grown as annual in zones 7-8)
Description: Tropical vine with glossy leaves and showy pink, red, or white trumpet flowers.
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Keep soil moist but well-drained
Pruning: Pinch back to encourage bushiness
Special Notes: Great for containers, especially in colder climates so you can bring indoors in winter!
‘Peggy Martin’ CLIMBING Rose
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Description: A vigorous, thornless climbing rose with clusters of small, soft pink blooms. Known for its exceptional resilience and rapid growth.
Sun Requirements: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; water deeply weekly in extreme heat
Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter to remove dead wood and shape canes
Special Notes: Famously survived 20 feet of saltwater flooding after Hurricane Katrina
Disease-resistant – Highly resistant to black spot and mildew
Versatile – Excellent for fences, trellises, and arbors; can also be grown as a sprawling ground cover
Bloom Time: Heavy flush in late spring, repeats lightly until frost
Lady of Shallot (by David Austin) Climbing Rose
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Description: A vigorous, thornless climbing rose with clusters of small, soft pink blooms. Known for its exceptional resilience and rapid growth.
Sun Requirements: Full sun (6+ hours daily) Best flowering occurs with ample sunlight, but it can tolerate light afternoon shade in hot climates. Thrives in temperate climates but can tolerate colder winters with protection.
Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; water deeply weekly in extreme heat
Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter to remove dead wood and shape canes
Answering Your Trellis Questions
So many of you had great questions about how to install a trellis at your house. Here are some of your questions answered!
Q: Where can I buy that exact trellis in your Instagram video?
A: This is a custom-made trellis from Jake Land in Columbus GA...he makes all of my custom iron work for me 💚
Q: Can you install trellises on houses with siding?
A: Yes—but with caution! While trellises can beautifully accent a sided home, proper installation is key to avoiding damage. Here’s what to consider:
1. Consult a Pro First
Double-check with a local contractor before piercing siding—you want to prevent water infiltration and maintain your home’s warranty.
2. Siding-Specific Cautions
Vinyl siding: Easily warped; use standoff brackets to keep the trellis 1–2" away from the surface and take extra caution when drilling through to hit the 2x4 studs for support.
Fiber cement (e.g., HardiePanel): Prone to cracking; pre-drill pilot holes (like you would for masonry) and anchor into studs.
Avoid stucco or metal siding—drilling risks irreversible damage.
3. Plant Choices Matter!
Safer picks: Star Jasmine, climbing roses, or clematis (they are lightweight and won’t invade the cracks).
Avoid invasive vines like English Ivy—their sticky roots can creep under siding, causing damage and trapping moisture.
Q: Do you have a recommendation for a trellis that doesn’t affix to the siding that gives a similar look?
A: Yes! You could use a raised garden bed planter with a trellis attached. Here are a few good raised planters with trellises.
Q: Is there anything that will grow up a trellis in the shade? I have a small ugly wall on my covered porch I’d like to hide!
A: Sweet Autumn Clematis, Climbing Hydrangea, Boston Ivy, and Virginia Creeper will tolerate shade. Even “weeds” like honeysuckle can be beautiful!
Ready to bring a touch of Versailles to your backyard? A well-placed trellis transforms ordinary vines into living works of art. Which climber will you train first?
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