Twig Fan Trellis

Make Your Vines Happy
with a Rustic Twig Support

Planting clematis or other vines to grow upwards can be a beautiful way to cover a wall or add height to a low fence for privacy or shade.

The classic style of a fan trellis with the rustic twist of twigs will give your garden a unique flair.

How to Build a Twig Fan Trellis

Before you start, see the pages on tools for twig craft and twig craft techniques.

Choose five long branches from your stock of twigs.

I like willow, due to the fact that they produce long straight growth, but use what you have.

The more curvy and bent the twigs, the more rustic the final product.

If the only twigs you have are bent, select two evenly bent shorter ones for the outside, and longer straighter ones for the center.

Lay the five twigs on the ground.

I work on the ground as there is less likelihood of ‘barking’ the branches or twigs, but you can also work on a table if it’s more comfortable.

The center one and two outside ones should be placed higher than the other two which will make legs to be inserted into the ground or pipes.

Twig Fan Trellis

Attach a short straight piece of twig close to the bottom of the five, connecting all of them to it with wire or nails.

Spread the tops of the five long pieces apart, and then attach a long curved twig across them all, wiring or nailing the same way.

I suggest you wire first, adjust the pieces to your liking, and then nail them on an angle, each attachment getting nailed twice with twist nails. Only completely nail the pieces when you’re absolutely sure they are in the correct position.

You can add more curved pieces in between to form a ladder effect for the vines to climb.

Attach your twig fan trellis to a wall or fence using eye hooks and wire – depending on the particular vine make sure it will hold the weight.

Insert the legs into pvc or metal pipes pounded into the ground – this makes it easy to relocate the trellis or take it down to paint behind it, while making it firm enough to resist wind damage.

I bet you won’t be able to stop at just one – make several twig fan trellises for all areas of your xeric garden that beg for a vertical accent.

go to Drought Smart Plants home page

Rustic Crafts

Twig Craft Techniques

Twig Lattice

Twig Obelisk