Wire Trellis

Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D

The twining woody vines of wisteria require a good support. Here's an inexpensive, simple way to build a wire trellis to train and tame wisteria.

Material:

• twelve 1-1/2" eye bolts
• spool of 10 - 12 gauge tension wire
• twine
• drill

Steps:

1. Determine how high you want the trellis, then measure and drill six, evenly spaced holes on both sides of either a stationary frame or directly into a house or wooden fence. Insert an eye bolt in each (figure A); tap the eye bolts in to start them off, then screw them in the rest of the way. If mounting directly to the house, then use a drill to start the holes.

2. Start at the bottom left bolt and insert the tension wire, leaving enough room to twist the wire around itself (figure B). Next, string the wire through all the left-side loops, and continuing on the right side, down through those loops and back over to the starting point to make a rectangle. Make as few cuts in the wire as possible to add extra strength and support. At this point, begin stringing a series of diagonals (figure C)--left to right and left again--to form triangles. Plant wisteria under the trellis, carefully removing the nursery stake from the plant, and wrap each vine around the wires (figure D), securing each one with twine.

Also in this Episode

Surprise Gardener : Episode SPG-301
•	Basket-Weave Brick
•	Curved Brick Border
•	Wire Trellis