An obelisk trellis is a unique and eye-catching way to support climbing vines and flowers in your garden. With a simple DIY obelisk trellis made from basic materials, you can create beautiful vertical interest in your outdoor space. This guide will walk you through the easy steps for making your own basic obelisk trellis at home.
What is an Obelisk Trellis?
An obelisk trellis has a tall, slender pyramid shape that tapers to a point at the top. Obelisk trellises are traditionally made from wood or metal and stand on a square or circular base. They provide vertical support and structure for climbing vines and flowering plants to grow upwards.
Obelisk trellises are an attractive choice for training plants like clematis, roses, honeysuckle, jasmine and grapes to climb. The lattice-like sides give plants something to cling to as they grow taller. Having plants cover an obelisk creates a stunning vertical garden focal point.
Benefits of Using an Obelisk Trellis
There are many advantages to using an obelisk trellis in your garden:
- Provides height and adds visual interest – Obelisk trellises draw the eye upwards, creating vertical dimension in your outdoor space. The striking shape stands out from other structures.
- Supports climbing plants – An obelisk’s lattice frame gives climbing vines and flowers aplace to attach and grow upwards rather than trailing on the ground.
- Saves space – Training plants to grow vertically frees up ground space for other plants compared to sprawling vines.
- Allows air circulation – The open pyramid shape allows air to freely circulate around plants, reducing pests and disease.
- Easy access – Obelisk trellises provide easy access all around for planting, pruning and harvesting.
- Long-lasting materials – Made from wood or metal, obelisk trellises are durable for supporting plants year after year.
With proper placement and care, an obelisk trellis can provide a beautiful vertical garden focal point for years to come.
DIY Obelisk Designs and Materials
One of the benefits of building your own obelisk trellis is that you can customize the design, size and materials to suit your space. Here are some options to consider when planning your DIY obelisk project:
Shapes
The most common obelisk trellis designs are:
- Pyramid – Tapers from a wide square base up to a point at the top. Offers the most vertical support.
- Cut Pyramid – Similar to a pyramid but with the top cut off for a flat surface. Best for shorter plants.
- Rounded – A pyramid shape with rounded edges instead of sharp corners. Has a softer look.
Sizes
Typical obelisk trellis sizes range from:
- Small – 3-4 feet tall. Good for containers.
- Medium – 5-6 feet tall. Fits nicely in garden beds.
- Large – 7-8+ feet tall. Makes a dramatic statement.
Match the mature height of your climbing plants to select the right obelisk height.
Materials
Obelisk trellises are commonly constructed from:
- Wood – Cedar and redwood resist rotting. Avoid treated lumber, which can leach chemicals.
- Bamboo – Naturally rot-resistant and adds texture. Select sturdy, thick bamboo poles.
- Metal – Wrought iron, aluminum and copper last for decades. Avoid sharp edges.
- PVC – Budget-friendly option. Looks best painted to hide the plastic.
Choose rot-resistant materials like cedar or bamboo for a long lasting DIY obelisk.
DIY Obelisk Tools and Supplies
Constructing a basic obelisk trellis is a relatively simple DIY woodworking project. Having these tools and materials on hand will make the process easier:
Tools
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Handsaw or chop saw
- Electric drill and drill bits
- Sander (optional)
- Safety glasses and work gloves
Materials
- 1″ x 2″ wood boards, 10-12 feet long (cedar recommended)
- Wood glue
- Exterior wood screws, 2-3″ long
- Small nails or brads (optional)
- Sandpaper (optional)
- Exterior wood finish like stain, paint or polyurethane (optional)
For a medium 6 foot trellis, you’ll need 5-6 wooden boards around 1″ x 2″ x 10′. Using rot-resistant cedar provides natural weather resistance without finishing.
How to Build a Simple DIY Obelisk Trellis
Follow these step-by-step instructions to construct a basic wood obelisk trellis for your garden:
Step 1: Cut the Legs
The first step is cutting four legs for the base of the obelisk:
- Measure the width of your 1″ x 2″ boards. Cut four boards to equal lengths for the legs.
- For a 6 foot trellis, cut four 72 inch legs.
- For a 4 foot trellis, cut four 48 inch legs.
- Cut the ends of the legs at 45 degree angles using a miter saw for nicer finishing.
Step 2: Assemble the Base
- Lay the four legs on a flat surface in a square orientation.
- Apply wood glue to the angled ends.
- Attach the legs together at the corners by screwing 2-3″ exterior screws through the legs to join them.
- Use a carpenter’s square to ensure the base is perfect square.
Step 3: Cut and Attach Side Boards
- Cut two more 1″ x 2″ boards to the same length as the legs for the side boards.
- Apply wood glue and screw the boards flush along two legs, keeping the frame square.
Step 4: Cut and Install Remaining Boards
- Measure from the outer edges diagonally between the two installed boards.
- Cut two more boards to this length to connect the open corners.
- Glue and screw the last two boards into place to complete the square frame.
Step 5: Attach Vertical Boards
- Cut enough 1″ x 2″ boards to cover each side vertically, cutting trim boards to length if needed.
- Space the vertical boards every 3-4 inches around the frame.
- Glue and nail/screw the vertical boards flush into the side boards.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
- For cleaning finishing, lightly sand the wood and wipe away dust.
- Apply exterior wood stain, paint or polyurethane if desired.
- Let the wood finish cure fully before installing the obelisk outside.
And that’s it! Your sturdy DIY wood obelisk trellis is ready for the garden.
How to Use Your Obelisk Trellis
Once constructed, using your obelisk trellis to support climbing plants is easy and rewarding:
- Location – Choose a sunny garden location for your obelisk with well-draining soil. Avoid areas with strong winds that could topple top-heavy plants.
- Planting – Grow a mix of annual and perennial climbers like clematis, morning glories, peas and pole beans around the obelisk. Plant on all sides for the fullest coverage.
- Training vines – As vines grow, gently tie stems to the obelisk frame to encourage climbing upwards. Prune wayward stems to guide growth.
- Loosening ties – Loosen ties as thick stems grow to avoid girdling and choking the vines.
- Fertilizing – Feed vines regularly with balanced fertilizer to promote lush foliage growth. Avoid over-fertilizing.
- Watering – Water vines at soil level rather than overhead to keep foliage dry and discourage diseases.
Within one growing season, you can have flowering vines covering your beautiful DIY obelisk trellis!
Obelisk Trellis Inspiration
Here are some gorgeous examples of obelisk trellises being used in creative garden designs:
- Grow pole beans or peas up a small ornamental obelisk in a container on a deck or patio for vertical edible plants.
- Train a mix of annual climbers like morning glories, nasturtiums and cleome around a rainbow-painted obelisk for a bright, cheerful garden accent.
- Use an iron obelisk entwined with roses, clematis and jasmine to create a romantic cottage garden feel near a seating area.
- Place a pair of matching obelisks on either side of a garden path or gate, then cover with fragrant vines like star jasmine or honeysuckle.
- Top a cut-off pyramid obelisk with a large container planting of cascading flowers for fun height and color.
- Plant a grape vine on a tall obelisk and grow your own edible backyard arbor.
Let your obelisk creativity run wild! The possibilities are endless for turning these DIY structures into beautiful vertical garden features.
Frequently Asked Questions About Obelisk Trellises
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about designing and building obelisk trellises:
How tall should an obelisk trellis be?
Match the height of your obelisk to the mature size of the climbing plants. Small vines only need 3-4 feet while vigorous growers like grapes may need 8 feet or taller. Most gardeners choose 5-6 foot trellises.
What is the best wood to use for a DIY obelisk?
Rot-resistant woods like cedar and redwood are ideal as they will last for years outdoors. Avoid using treated lumber, which may leach chemicals into the soil.
How do I keep an obelisk from blowing over in wind?
Anchor the obelisk legs into the ground with stabilizing stakes. Growing heavy vines on the obelisk also helps weigh it down. Avoid very exposed, windy locations.
Should I put obelisk trellises in full sun or part shade?
Most flowering vines thrive in full sunlight. However, part afternoon shade can prevent damage to delicate blossoms in very hot climates.
How close together can I plant obelisk trellises?
Leave 3-4 feet between obelisks depending on the spread of the climbing vines. Too close risks overcrowding when plants mature.
Can I plant vines on all sides of an obelisk?
Yes, planting all around the obelisk creates a fuller, more attractive vertical garden. Choose vines that won’t block sunlight from reaching the other side.
Get Creative with DIY Obelisk Trellises
Creating your own obelisk trellis is an easy, fun DIY project that can add beautiful vertical interest to your garden. Make the design your own by choosing fun shapes, custom sizes, and colorful materials. Then plant vibrant flowering climbers and watch your vines flourish on their new support structures. With proper placement and care, your handmade obelisk trellises will be decorating your garden for many seasons to come.