THE WEEKEND GARDEN

By Gerco & Hilly · 4Seasons4u

To the left of our patio, beyond a short garden path, we grow a creeper against a wall. An Agapanthus garden light box sits in the middle. The combination gives a simple boundary a point of interest.

The same thought can guide the wall behind your patio seating. This surface can help the chairs and table feel part of a complete setting. A trellis brings pattern into that space, with the choice of enjoying the ironwork on its own or adding climbing plants.

A broad, empty wall can feel daunting. Our starting point is to choose a trellis with enough presence to belong there. On a smaller wall in a compact patio, a smaller panel often makes a more comfortable fit.

Measure the usable wall area, taking windows, doors and existing lights into account. Then look at it together with the seating. A panel centred above a bench can create a clear arrangement; a wider seating group may need a different balance.

Leave some clear wall around the trellis so the design has room to be appreciated. Look at the proportions both as you walk onto the patio and from your usual seat.

For this setting, our shortlist includes the Trellis Lattice, the Romance trellis designs and the CottageCut Wall Panel. Each can make a feature of a wall before any planting is added. Choosing between them can be the difficult part, even when you make the trellises yourself.

The Lattice offers a regular geometric pattern. The Romance designs bring flowing scrollwork, while CottageCut has a structured pattern of square openings. Consider how those lines sit alongside the furniture you already have.

One well-chosen panel can give the seating area a focal point. If you love the metalwork, let enough of it remain visible to enjoy its detail.

A climbing plant can soften the pattern over time, but choose it for the growing conditions and the space available. Notice the wall’s hours of sunlight and ask a local nursery about a suitable climber and its mature size.

Some climbers need their stems tied to the support. Allow access for training and pruning, and agree secure fixings suited to the wall and the eventual planted arrangement.

You can enjoy the relationship between new growth and ironwork without aiming for a completely covered wall. Decide how much of the pattern you would like to see.

If you prefer individual pots, our FlutterBloom Window Frame offers another approach. It has three round frames for pots, each 15 cm in diameter, and is an option for a balcony or a compact display.

Check that your pots fit securely and that you can reach them comfortably for watering. Their height and shape will affect how much of the frame remains visible.

A display like this lets the plants become part of the wall arrangement, while the furniture can sit comfortably below or beside it.

If your garden is exposed to salt air, whether near Cape Town, Durban or another coastal town, discuss protection before ordering. The finish and care requirements should suit the actual exposure.

We also have a newer round-bar interpretation of the lattice design to discuss for these settings. Ask us about the design together with the appropriate protective finish. Steel needs suitable corrosion protection and ongoing care, so this belongs in the planning alongside the appearance of the panel.

Join sheets of newspaper to match the dimensions of a panel you are considering. Ask someone to hold the paper against the wall while you look from the patio entrance and then from your usual seat.

This simple outline can make the choice between two sizes much easier. It also helps you see where the trellis would sit in relation to the furniture.

Browse our garden trellises with your wall measurements beside you. If two designs catch your eye, we will gladly help you compare them for your setting.