Small Trellis Fence Growing Ideas

There are many ways to grow plants, not matter how small or large your space is. You can grow plants in the ground, raised garden beds, and containers, just to name a few. Here are some great ideas on what to grow on a small trellis fence.

Why a small trellis fence? Like I have mentioned in past blog posts, my husband and I live in an apartment. While the patio is large, we only have enough outdoor space to use. Despite all the concrete, I have been able to grow a beautiful garden with pots and raised garden beds.

Last year, my husband and I bought a trellis to put up on a wall that I felt needed something. I could have added outdoor wall decor, but wanted to try growing a flowering vine on the trellis.

The morning glories I grew that year added beautiful color and interesting height to the wall. I am doing the same thing, although I chose different varieties of morning glories to grow on the trellis this year. I love waking up to see how many flowers there are on the trellis!

The apartment complex we previously moved from had a narrow dirt area where I grew them morning glories. This apartment we now live in has no dirt, so I just placed several narrow containers in front of the trellis and planted my morning glories in there. Where there is a will, there is always a way!

Flowers to Grow on a Small Trellis

There are several flowers that grow on a vine. These flowering vines can be bought as small plants at a local garden nursery, or you can grow many from seed.

Morning Glories

Morning glories are a fun flowering vine to grow from seed. They come in many different colors and types. Heavenly blue morning glories are a popular choice around here, although its fun to try to grow other varieties as well.

Morning glories are invasive, so make sure you don’t grow them by other plants and pick up flowers when they fall. The seeds are poisonous to children and animals, so watch over pets and kids when you are outdoors.

Here are some great morning glory varieties for you to grow on your trellis:

Mandevilla

This tropical vine blooms flowers in pink, white, or red. It blooms in the summer, so make sure it gets plenty of sun. Mandevilla prefer some shade in the afternoon in hot areas.

Black Eyed Susan Vine

Black eyed Susans are easy to grow from seed and bloom flowers that are yellow, pink, orange, and white, based on the variety you purchase. Plant this vine in an area of your garden that will get full sun.

Here are black eye Susan vine seeds for you to purchase:

Sweet Peas

This flowering vine comes in all kinds of colors and smell great. Sweet peas also make great cutting flowers for home grown bouquets that you can enjoy indoors and give away as gifts to family and friends.

Sweet peas don’t like too much heat, so plant them in the early spring after the last frost. They prefer full sun, but can also grow with some shade.

Here are sweet peas you can add to your garden:

Passionflower Vine

The unique blooms on the passion flower are white with purple, white, and blue. You can also enjoy picking off the orange fruits the plant produces in the late summer and fall. Attract butterflies with this tropical flowering vine in your yard.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are flowering vines that can be grown as ground cover, companion plants to vegetables, and in containers. They can also be trained to grow upwards on a trellis.

These vines are easy to grow from seed. Just soak them overnight to help them germinate faster. The plant it beautiful to look at and edible.

Here are some varieties you can grow from seed:

Clematis

These flowering vines bloom in the spring, fall, or all year, based on what variety you get. Clematis roots like to stay in the shade, so plant other flowers around them.

Moonflower

The flowers on this unique vine bloom in the evening, hence their name. Flowers grow up to 6 inches wide and smell great. Pollinators will enjoy these flowers as well. Grow your moonflowers in full sun so they can reach their full potential.

Bougainvillea

One of the apartment complexes we lived in grew beautiful bougainvillea vines in bright pinks in front of their office. This vine also grows flowers that are purple in color. The plant looks striking against a white trellis when blooming flowers.

Caroline Jessamine

Bright, yellow flowers look cheerful against glossy, green leaves on the caroline jessamine vine. It grows fast and blooms flowers in the spring and fall. Make sure to plant your caroline jessamine in full sun.

Star Jasmine

Whenever I walk around and start smelling something sweet, I look around to see where the jasmine are growing nearby. These fragrant plants grow everywhere in Southern California! They can be trimmed back as a hedge, but make great vines to grow on a small trellis, especially since they can take awhile to mature.

Vegetables to Grow on a Small Trellis

You can also grow some vegetables on a trellis! Here are some you can try.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers grow on a vine and are great for beginner gardeners. They may need some training to grow upward, but once they do, you can enjoy a harvest of cucumbers to give away and include in recipes.

Here are some varieties of cucumbers you can grow:

Tomatoes

There are thousands of tomatoes to choose from, that grow in different colors besides red. You can grow tomatoes that are green, pink, and yellow, to name a few. If you don’t have much space, grow some in a container with a trellis behind to enjoy tomatoes all season long.

Here are some tomatoes you can add to your garden this year:

Peas

Peas are also great climbing tomatoes that make a great choice for beginner gardeners. You can get seeds in a mix with other vegetables, or choose from a variety to grow on your trellis. While most snap peas are green, some grow in shades of purple!

Here are some peas to grow on your small trellis fence:

Squash

If you and your family like squash, you can grow them on your trellis. Some plants produce squash in the summer, while other varieties grow in the winter. Make sure they get plenty of sun for a great harvest.

Check out these squash varieties:

Fruit to Grow on a Trellis

Some types of fruit prefer growing on vines on a trellis, like the ones below.

Raspberries

Some raspberries grow in the summer, while others produce fruit in the fall. They grow fruit that can be yellow, black, and popular red. Not only will these fruits look great growing on a trellis fence, but having them grow upward will keep pests from eating them.

Grapes

Grapes are known to grow on vines. Some people enjoy growing grapes on an arching trellis. They can also grow on a trellis fence.

If you are growing grapes from seed, you will need plenty of patience, since it can take up to three years to see any fruits. Plant your grapes in a sunny spot and cut back frequently to keep your plant healthy.

Strawberries

Strawberries are great fruit to grow in containers when you don’t have the space or want to use your garden beds for other plants. You can also train strawberries to grow on a trellis.

Check out my guide on how to grow strawberries to learn more!

Blueberries

Blueberries are another type of berry that grow well on a trellis since they are a fruit that grows on vines. The plant takes about two years to start growing fruit. Grow in a sunny area to enjoy the small, white flowers and fruit of the plant.

Make sure to add some of these blueberry kinds to your small trellis fence:

Where to Buy a Trellis Fence

You can buy a trellis fence at a local garden nursery or online. You can also purchase netting and stakes to encourage plants to grow upwards.

You can also make your own trellis fence. Below are some fences you can purchase or to use for ideas to make your own.

Small Trellis Fence Plants

Are you ready to go purchase a small trellis fence to grow some of these great vine plants on? What flowering vines, vegetables, or fruit will you grow on your trellis this year? Let me know in the comments section below!

Small Trellis Fence Growing Ideas