Trellis Vs. Pergola

A trellis is required to support large vines such as the clematis.

Garden features such as arbors, trellises and pergolas have been used for centuries by gardeners for both ornamental and utilitarian reasons. Although the names are sometimes used interchangeably, the trellis and the pergola are distinct garden structures that evolved separately.

Trellis

A trellis is a small, free-standing wood or metal structure with crossbars supporting vines or plants. A trellis can be attached to a wall, or even arched to form an entryway. First used in 17th century by Dutch gardeners, trellises became a common feature in early American gardens as well, states the University of Florida.

Pergola

The pergola features a long, narrow lattice supported by pillars, which serve to support vines and shade a walkway. Pergolas often extend from a building or join two structures. As a garden form, the pergola dates to ancient Egypt and was common in Renaissance Italy.

Etymology

The word trellis comes from the Old French "trelis," which originally meant "sackcloth." It ultimately derives from the Latin roots "tri-" meaning three and "licium," meaning thread. The sense of the word extended from cloth to metal items with a woven appearance. The word pergola is Italian in origin, and comes from the Latin "pergula" which referred to a projecting roof or vine arbor.

References

• University of Florida: Arbor, Trellis, or Pergola - What's in Your Garden? A Mini-Dictionary of Garden Structures and Plant Forms
• Online Etymology Dictionary: Pergola