A Garden Designer Shares the Secret to the Stunning Trellising in Abigail Spencer's Spanish-Colonial Home

Abigail Spencer’s 1928 Spanish Colonial-style home was featured in Vogue Australia, and it gave me several reasons to pause. The biggest reason was the massive, leafy tree spilling into her driveway via a large trellis. There's something so beautifully dramatic about greenery that appears to defy gravity and give a wink at ordinary flowers. It feels as if your garden is suddenly saying, “I dare you to ignore me.”

If you want to make a real eye-catching statement with vertical plants, you absolutely can with the right support climbers and a little planning. This can take your garden from “it’s pretty cute” to “oh my gosh, this is absolutely jaw-dropping,” completely effortlessly.

Start With the Structure (Seriously, This Is Not Decorative)

Climbers and trellis-trained trees need a sturdy framework, especially if you’re going for a “wow” factor. Before you even think about planting, you’ll need to consider a structure that can handle the weight of the ambitious greenery you want.

This Esazn Outdoor Garden Arch (available at Lowe’s)) is a free-standing trellis made for climbing flowers, vines, and vegetables with plenty of room for upward growing. This is best for a larger garden; however, if you have a smaller space, consider the Sungmore Large Garden Trellis (available on Amazon)), which can be set against a patio wall, giving your space a certain “je ne sais quoi.”

Jo Thompson is one of the UK’s most celebrated garden designers and author of the Substack newsletter, The Gardening Mind, where she shares practical advice, seasonal tips and inspiration for gardeners of all levels. She gave me some expert advice on all things trellises and pergolas, starting with the frame.

Thompson says, “Always start with the structure. Vigorous climbers, especially rambling roses, need strong, well-anchored supports designed for their mature size. Timber trellis and pergolas work beautifully, particularly when they’re treated as long-term garden architecture rather than decoration.”

Choose Plants That Love to Climb (and Show Off)

For maximum impact, choose plants that are naturally inclined to be trained or climb vertically. Thompson recommends roses, telling me, "They are hard to beat for drama and character. One of my favourite rambling roses is Rosa Adelaide d’Orléans… Rosa Félicité Perpétue is another favourite, ideal for growing up and then cascading down.”

Choosing Climbers With Impact

Other flowers and plants that give off that spilling effect we all love on trellises:

• Wisteria: Wisteria is a major showstopper with cascading flowers and rich green foliage. However, your trellis will need to be up to the task. Train these early and tie them softly to help direct growth and prevent complete chaos.
• Grapevines: Feeling Italian? Grapevines give you not only some delightfully lush coverage, but fruit as well. Remember to prune them regularly to keep them from becoming a tangled mess.
• Climbing roses or clematis: These add color, fragrance, and some textural interest. If you want a layered look, pair these with leafy vines to keep them looking alive rather than too staged.

If you prefer to keep your foliage as the star of the show, go for trained ficus or climbing hydrangeas that will give you year-round coverage. This will give your garden that Abigail Spencer “oversized trellis” effect without overcomplicating the care.

Train and Maintain the Growth

Vertical growing is never about planting and just waiting to see what happens. Training your plants early on makes a world of difference. After guiding your shoots (gently!) along the trellis, secure it with soft ties.

Thompson tells me, “Regular pruning and tying in is essential, particularly with roses. Training long stems horizontally encourages more flowers and keeps growth balanced.”

Regularly pruning your plants encourages bushier growth, better flow of air, and an overall more organized look. These CHZKVOY adjustable, anti-slip plant ties are a great find on Amazon.

Avoid These Common Vertical-Garden Mistakes

Thompson also gave me some advice on the biggest mistakes gardeners often make. “Underestimating scale is the biggest mistake, both of the plant and the support,” she warns. “Roses quickly outgrow lightweight structures.”

Another mistake? Forgetting that gardens aren’t flat. “Gardens are three-dimensional; walls, pergolas and trellis offer huge planting opportunities as far as the volume of the garden is concerned," Thompson says.

Quick Tips for Trellis Training

Here are some quick tips to take your garden from chaos to zen:

• Guide Early: The second your shoots appear, weave them into your trellis right away. Younger stems are more flexible and easier to train than thicker ones.
• Use Soft Ties: Avoid wire or anything too tight to hold your stems in place to prevent constriction.
• Prune Strategically: To help encourage airflow, cut back dead or crossing branches. For flowering vines, be sure to check blooming times so you don’t cut any buds off accidentally.
• Rotate for Even Growth: If your trellis is based in a container or sits against a wall and you’re able to move it, rotate it occasionally to get balanced growth. Otherwise, your trellis will be too thick on one side.
• Monitor Weight: Speaking of balance, don’t overload a single trellis panel. Spread out your climbers and reinforce the structure if necessary.

Best Climbers by Sun Exposure

When it comes to sunlight, not all climbing plants are created equal. Here’s a quick guide to picking the right plants that will thrive with whatever light you have in your garden:

• Full Sun (6+ hours/day): Wisteria, climbing roses, grapevines
• Partial Sun/Partial Shade: Clematis (many varieties), climbing hydrangea, honeysuckle
• Shade to Light Shade: Ivy, climbing fig (ficus pumila), and some ferns

Thompson beautifully concludes, "Remember that gardens have volume as well as surface. Growing plants up walls, pergolas and trellis creates depth, enclosure and atmosphere." She continues, "In my own garden, a chestnut pergola is the only structure, now completely softened by roses. "

Abigail Spencer’s trellis transformed her outdoor space into living art. It’s functional and yet still has an impact. With a sturdy structure and a few thoughtfully selected climbers, your trellis can become the garden equivalent of a mic-drop.