Trellis Ideas for the South Facing Wall of the House

Roses

• Plant climbing roses to cover trellises that are squared, arched or shaped to mirror any angles on roof lines. The plants don't have to go directly against the house, and you can frame the trellis to end below high windows or frame lower ones, depending on whether or not they would block any desirable view. Roses appreciate many hours of hot sun. You can find them in white, orange, yellow, red, and shades of pink and purple. Make sure they get plenty of water, compost and mulch, too.

Flowering Vines

• Clematis, jasmine, honeysuckle, wisteria and other flowering vines may take over not only the trellis, but the entire south wall, unless you keep them trimmed and properly cared for. Like roses, they'll grow on virtually any type of trellis. Keep the trellis at least a foot away from the wall, especially if the flowers you choose are a bit delicate. Coupled with the beautiful flowers, you can open a nearby window and let the strong fragrances of some of these flowers waft through your house.

Vining Fruit

• Turn rectangular trellises sideways or perpendicular rather than parallel to the house. Line several up to create an arbor, beneath which you can walk and pick fruit when it ripens. Types of fruit to consider include several varieties of grapes, hardy kiwis, blackberries and passion fruit. Decide what type of fruit you and your family might enjoy, and plant one type at one end and another at the opposite end of the trellises or arborlike structure.

Vining Vegetables

• Many gardeners will tell you that tomatoes grow very well near the south-facing wall of a building; the reflected heat will often yield early harvests, depending on the type of tomatoes you choose. You can combine trellises, wiring and stakes to support vining tomatoes. The same is true for such vining vegetables as cucumbers and melons. The soil will be a key factor to harvesting delicious vegetables, so be sure to prepare it well before placing any trellis into a permanent location.