Gardening

How to Install a Beligian Trellis

Posted on by Stephanie Walker
19
Oct

I love vacationing at Disneyland with my family and lately knowing it’s closed makes me miss it even more than normal. Of course I love the rides and the food and the atmosphere, but almost as much as all of that, I love the landscaping and neverending gardens. I gain so much inspiration from the plants and the flowers everytime I go. It’s so brilliant! Upon entering, you are greeted by a giant Mickey floral garden that is the picture-taking hallmark of every Disney-goer’s visit. It doesn’t get much better than that! But, then it does! Every detail is attended to. Every corner planted with a delightful surprise.

On one of my visits to Disneyland many years ago, I noticed a Belgian trellis along the tunnel walled-entrance just after the Mickey floral garden. I was immediately mesmerized and determined to figure out how to replicate the concept in my own yard. Upon our return from our magical vacation, I set to work. 

What is a Belgian Trellis?

What even is a Belgian trellis/ fence? A Belgian trellis, or fence, is created when plants are planted two feet apart and their branches are trained in a criss-crossing, diamond-like pattern, creating impressive fences and backdrops. When trained against a wall, it is a trellis.

Come along as I share with you my step-by-step process for creating a Belgian trellis in my own backyard on my ordinary, builder-grade cinderblock wall.

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Building a Belgian Trellis on a Cinderblock Wall

1. Decide the location and size of your trellis

2. Gather your tools 

3. Decide on the spacing of your screw eyes and create your pattern.

4. Measure your grid and mark on the wall with chalk where your screw eyes will go, using your level to ensure everything is square and straight.

5. Once your pattern and spacing is finalized, mark points for drill holes with sharpie.

6. Drill holes

Attaching the Screw Eyes

Spray the Instant Bond activator into hole.

Squirt Instant Bond adhesive immediately into hole

Spray activator once more

Immediately screw the screw eye into hole

Wait 30 seconds for bond to form

Creating the Framework

Beginning on the top left corner, stretch the wire to the top screw eye to the right and thread it through the eye, pulling tightly, and wind it around a couple times to secure, keeping the wire on the front edge of the eye as far away from the wall as possible (this will allow for your vine to twist around the wire as it grows)

Continue on to the next top screw eye to the right, being sure to keep the wire pulled tightly as you go

Once you reach the top left corner again, secure the wire and stretch it diagonally to the next screw eye, threading it through the eye, pulling it tight and wrapping it around as before.

Continue to the next diagonal screw eye and so on to the bottom row

Snip the end of the wire and begin the process again at the top row with the screw eye to the right of the left corner eye and repeat until all eyes are connected with wire in a criss-crossing diamond pattern

Planting your Vine

Choose a vine that will perform well in the spot you have chosen. Some factors to consider are sun exposure, reflected heat and water access. I originally planted Star Jasmine on my trellis, but it soon suffered because the reflected heat from the wall was too much for it. I replaced the jasmine with pyracantha and it has thrived ever since.

The type of plant will determine the number of plants you will need and the distance you will need to plant them apart from each other. I planted one vine in the center that reaches a distance of 3 feet on each side. If my trellis were to be longer, I would have adjusted accordingly adding additional plants.

Training your Vine

After you have planted your vine, train your longer canes along the wires by winding them under and over the wire as you stretch the vine. The vine typically won’t need tying in to the wire, but if it does, I use my favorite tool to attach the vine to the wire. Periodically check your vine over the upcoming weeks and tuck in and under the wire as your vine grows. When you come to a corner, simply bend the stem and help it follow the contour of the corner. 

Pruning your Vine

You will need to occasionally prune your vine to keep the shape visible and manicured. Simply get your favorite sharp pruners, your gloves to protect from viney thorns and a basket to catch all the clippings. As you begin to prune, be mindful of the major canes coming from the stalk of your plant. These will most likely be the main canes you have previously trained to wrap around your wires. You DO NOT want to prune these main canes. You will only be pruning the new growth that comes off these canse. 

The best part of pruning your own vines is that you can create the shape you want. Some gardeners like to clip close and tight to create a very firm shape while others like to clip a little more loosely to keep a more natural look. It really is up to you. Just clip until you reach the desired effect. There is no rule and you won’t ruin your plant as long as you are only pruning the new growth.

As you prune away branches, take the chance to step back periodically and survey your work. This will allow you to get a better perspective on those branches that need trimming.

Mulch

When you have finished your task, take your basket of clippings to your wood chipper to mulch into smaller pieces to add to your compost bins. As you mulch them into smaller clippings, they will compost much more quickly. This mulch could also be added to the base of your vine as mulch to aid in moisture retention and returning nutrients to the soil as it composts in place. 

Once your Belgian Trellis starts filling in, you will love the grace and beauty it adds to the landscape of your gardens. Then all that’s left to do is get out a chair, whip up a Dole Whip, pop some It’s Small World on the turntable and enjoy the magical land you have created right in your own backyard!

For more hands-on projects and ideas, sign up for one of our workshops!

Stephanie Walker