A touch of red color flowers in combination-contrast with the green trellis.
When we offer a client to design a "trellis", most of the times they ask what it is. A good synonym is "lattice". A trellis is a light-frame construction, with posts (usually 4"x4"), light roof rafters across and very thin 1x or similar, perpendicular to those rafters. Most important, the trellis is not a solid roof, the main purpose of it is to support climbing plants, to hang them, provide shadow, and create a dramatic effect of textures, light and shadows.
Some trellis are free-standing in gardens or as part of the hardscape, others are beautiful to enclose porches or delimit paths.
Though it is a decorative installation, sometimes it may require structural calculations, if the span is long and specially if the framing is attached to a house or any other main building.
It means the construction of a trellis might require a City permit, depending on the conditions and design.
I am sharing some photos that I have taken of my favorite trellis so far. The green one is at the Rancho lLos Cerritos, Long Beach, CA, and the next one is at the Sherman Gardens and Library in Corona del Mar, CA.
All photos belong to my personal archives.
A fantastic Wisteria in full bloom is hanging from the Rancho Los Cerritos trellis.
The path is well defined here, and we see the light at the end of the dark perspective. We are invited to walk and follow the direction. A sort of "virtual" enclosure is proposed on the side with a light lattice. See the lattice is discontinued, which adds informality according to the (controlled) wilderness around.
The tortuous trunks on the left are intertwined with the posts.
It is interesting to move our point of view and enjoy the effects of the light and shadow in the perspective.
Needless to mention how much dramatism is added to a hanging plant. Sherman Gardens.
This was part of the Halloween Decoration in the Sherman Gardens. Floating vertical "spider webs" in combination with the upper grid.
This trellis in Sherman Gardens is combined with brick supporting elements and alike grids as a virtual enclosure. The restaurant is on the right side. See how the posts are much wider, due to the important overall size of the trellis.
The game of light and shadows. The doors are built alike.
Ferns are located in this fantastic path full of textures. Sherman Gardens
The beauty of a foliage garden with ferns, palms and huge leaves under the front trellis at the Sherman Gardens. See how the sides are also enclosed with the grid, and there are two openings to allow passage through.
Another example of a trellis-porch: the entrance at the former OCMA Museum in Costa Mesa. From my personal archives, March 2019.
A trellis inside the roses garden, South Coast Botanical Garden, Palos Verdes Estate. Personal archives, April 2024.
A trellis inside the roses garden, South Coast Botanical Garden, Palos Verdes Estate. Personal archives, April 2024.
A trellis inside the roses garden, South Coast Botanical Garden, Palos Verdes Estate. Personal archives, April 2024.
