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30 Arbor, Trellis, & Obelisk Ideas for Home Gardens

Published on April 19, 2020Last updated October 6, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

This post contains affiliate links.
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These arbor and trellis ideas show ways to grow plants, add privacy, and provide overhead shade in your garden or patio. Rose arbors are the classic choice, but there are many other planting options as well.

If you would like more privacy ideas for your outdoor space, click here.

Arbor in rose garden.

Arbors, Trellis, Obelisks, and More

Various arbors, trellises, and obelisks in home gardens.

Arbors, trellis, obelisks, screens…these are all great ways to add vertical interest to the garden, combining function with art. What starts out as a plant support becomes a beautiful focal point like the arbor in the first image (below). I’ve gathered a bunch of images from garden tours to give you ideas for your garden.

Here you’ll see supports for climbers, seating areas, bold artistic structures, rustic arbors, and more. While adding one of these items can transform your garden, don’t forget that removing an old one is equally as transformative, also providing a fresh start.

If you want to build a structure, check your local library for plans.

Climbing Plant Ideas

Be sure the plants you choose suit your climate and hardiness zone, benefit local wildlife, and are non-invasive.

Ornamental Plants

These are woody plants that grow as vines and may also climb structures (with some help from you).

  • Honeysuckle
  • Roses
  • Grape
  • Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
  • Climbing hydrangea
  • Clematis | Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana) is native to parts of North America

Climbing Vegetables & Fruits

  • Peas
  • Beans
  • Cucumber
  • Pumpkin
  • Zucchini
  • Watermelon
  • Tomato (indeterminate)

1Garden Arbor in Rose Garden

Add a rose arbor over a walkway in the garden.
Rose arbor over flagstone pathway

2Defining a Patio

This garden has a bold, contemporary look I love. It’s all about the incredible structure surrounding the patio area and the use of black stain on the wood including the surrounding garden fence.

Tall black arbor surrounding back patio
Tall black arbor surrounding back patio
Tall black arbor defining backyard patio
Tall black arbor defining backyard patio
Back view of black arbor surrounding patio
Back view of arbor surrounding patio

Vegetable vine trellis in garden.

Related: DIY Trellis for Climbing Fruits and Veggies


This next one is a different version of the same idea:

Arbors around deck entryway with potted plants
Potted plants and arbors around deck entryway

3Simple Staircase Plant Stand

I made this project for my garden. It can be used outdoors or indoors. If you need privacy or more plant supports, you could add trellis or arbor.

Staircase plant stand.
Staircase plant stand

Wooden staircase stand used to hold potted plants.

Related: How to Build a Staircase Plant Stand (Beginner Project)


4Seating Area with Trellis Roof

If you compare this seating area to the previous garden, you can see how influential the choice of paint and stain colours are. This one stained black would have an entirely different vibe.

Large outdoor dining area with overhead lattice roof
Outdoor dining area with lattice roof

Chain link fence and flowering vine.

Related: How to Hide Ugly Fences Including Chain-link


5Seating Area With Roof Amongst Pine Trees

Arbor on deck with roof overhead.
Raised garden deck with arbor and rooftop

6Hot Tub Area

Hot tub built into deck with arbor over top.
Hot tub on deck with arbor overhead

7Outdoor Dining Area

Outdoor dining area on raised deck
Outdoor dining area on raised deck

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8Rustic Log Arbor

The clematis is slowly making its way up this arbor. If you would like a really simple way to understand clematis care, see this easy guide.

Large arbor made from chunky, unfinished logs
Chunky log arbor

9Rose Arbor With Walkway

Wood arbor over pathway alongside red roses
Plain wood rose arbor

10Arbor with Garden Gate

Arbor with garden gate.
Arched wooden arbor with gate

11Arbor with Trellis Sides

Arbor over walkway
Arbor over walkway with hanging basket

12Rose Garden Arbor With Bench

Yes, the scent in this rose garden is just as lovely as you’d expect!

Rose arbor with seating area
Rose arbor with shaded seating area

13Simple Arbor in Perennial Garden

Simple wood arbor leading into perennial flower garden
Simple wood arbor at entrance to flowering perennial garden

14White Arbor With Seating Area

White arbor with bench surrounded by stepping stones and moss
White arbor with bench in rose garden
White arbor in rose garden
White arbor in rose garden
Plain lattice structure with garden bench
Lattice structure over garden bench

15Trellis-Walled Outdoor Garden Room

This structure to eventually be entirely covered in vines, creating a nice, cool place to sit on a hot day.

Outdoor trellis garden room.
Outdoor seating area enclosed with square lattice

16Support for Overhead Climbing Vines

Vine growing on arbor.
Long arbor with wisteria vine

This type of structure is a great idea if you want more privacy in your back garden but don’t wish to have a tall fence or wait for trees to grow.

Wide arbor by woods
Wide arbor framing woods beyond the garden

17Rustic Fence Rail Arbor With Climbing Clematis

Purple clematis growing over rustic garden arbor
Purple clematis growing over rustic garden arbor
Side view of rustic garden arbor with purple clematis vine.
Rustic arbor with purple clematis vine

Clematis vines in bloom.

Related: Clematis 101: Easy Guide for Beginners


18Japanese-Inspired Teahouse Seating Area

This entire garden was designed to mimic classic Japanese gardens, or as much as you can do this in Canada. Lots of green, with a few white flowers, stones, small fountains with running water, and places to sit like this teahouse-inspired area.

Japanese-inspired arbor teahouse
Japanese-inspired garden teahouse

Ebook

Seed Starting For Beginners ebook cover.

Seed Starting for Beginners
Sow Inside Grow Outside

by Melissa J. Will

NEW EDITION | Everything you need to get started with indoor seed starting for indoor and outdoor plants. Grow what you want—any time of year!

About This Ebook | Visit Ebook Shop

This ebook is a digital file (PDF format) you save to your device. It is not a physical product.

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19Classic White Arched Garden Arbor

White vinyl arbor and gate.
Curved white garden arch

White Garden Arch | Amazon

20Basic White Garden Arbor With Picket Fence

White fence, gate, and overhead arbor
White arbor, gate, and fence in perennial garden

21Rustic Fence Rail Arbor With Metal Trellis Sides

Rustic arbor with metal trellis sides.
Rustic arbor with vintage wheelbarrow full of flowers

Old-fashioned wagon used as a flower planter.

Related: 22 Creative Wagon Planter Ideas


22Simple Curved Arbor With Clematis

Curved metal arbor with flowering purple clematis vine
Curved metal arbor with purple clematis

23Large Grid Privacy Screen With Climbing Roses

Tall vertical large grid privacy screen.
Long privacy trellis with climbing vines
Stained glass hanging from trellis privacy fence
Stained glass privacy fence

24Garden Obelisk – 4 Sided

White decorative garden obelisk in garden
White garden obelisk
Orange and blue obelisks in vegetable garden
Orange and blue obelisks in vegetable garden

Ebook

Kitchen Propagation Handbook ebook cover.

Kitchen Propagation Handbook
7 Fruits & Vegetables To Regrow As Houseplants

by Melissa J. Will

Learn how to grow houseplants from avocado, oranges, lemons, ginger, and more using leftover pits, seeds, and roots.

About This Ebook | Visit Ebook Shop

This ebook is a digital file (PDF format) you save to your device. It is not a physical product.

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25Blue Garden Obelisk

Garden obelisk with watermelon vine
Blue obelisk with watermelon

This one is in my garden and holds a watermelon vine.


Homemade blue painted garden obelisks.

Related: How to Build a Wooden Garden Obelisk (Step-by-Step)


26Garden Obelisks in Wooden Planters

Obelisks built over wooden garden planters
Obelisks built to fit over large wooden garden planters

27Garden Obelisk With Pointy Top

Garden obelisk.
White obelisk in garden

28Rustic Fence Rail Trellis

I included this one just for the whimsy. I like it when gardeners just do what they can with what they have.

Rustic garden decor with old fence rails.
Rustic rail garden structure

Decorative birdhouses in the garden.

Related: 35 Creative Birdhouse Ideas For Your Garden


29Old Wooden Ladder

This is the simplest way to add vertical interest to a garden – old wooden ladders. This one sat in my garden for years and gradually the tendrils of the clematis took hold and it was covered in beautiful flowers.

Wooden ladder for climbing clematis.
Old ladder with clematis vine

Garden art ladders in the garden.

Related: 12 Creative & Rustic Garden Art Ladder Ideas


30DIY Strawberry Arbor

This DIY strawberry arbor is a smart way to add vertical growing space to your garden. You can add any container plants including flowers, strawberries, salad greens, herbs, or tomatoes!

Grow any crops that like containers such as strawberries, salads, herbs, or tomatoes.
Arbor with built-in strawberry planters

Ripe and unripe strawberries growing in the garden.

Related: How to Grow Strawberries: Basic Tips That Really Work


31Freestanding Privacy Screen

Privacy garden wall with built-in bug hotel.
Freestanding privacy screen

If you want privacy, this is a freestanding privacy screen I built in my garden. And yes, those are bug hotels on there.

Ebook

Garden Art Projects & Ideas book cover

25 Garden Art Projects & Ideas

by Melissa J. Will

Grab the top garden art DIY projects and tips from Empress of Dirt

About This Ebook | Visit Ebook Shop

This ebook is a digital file (PDF format) you save to your device. It is not a physical product.

Buy Now
$6 US

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~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

Various arbors, trellises, and obelisks in home gardens.
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
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