Brick projects an image of substance and weight that gives a comforting feel of permanence to a home or garden, but the very solidity of brick structures can sometimes lead to a too-formal, or overbearing facade with an institutional appearance. You can soften the look of brick with trellised plantings, to give it a homier appearance, while retaining the structural integrity of a masonry wall.
Wood or Plastic Trellis
Measure the trellis across the upper end with a measuring tape to determine the width for placing fasteners on the wall to hold it, and along its longest point to find the height it will stand from the ground.
Decide where you will hang the trellis and draw a vertical center line the exact height of the trellis -- using chalk -- directly on the brick wall.
Place a carpenter's level, centered, over the top of the vertical line and draw a horizontal chalk line across it the width of the trellis. The resulting “T” indicates the maximum height and width points for the trellis.
Locate any pre-drilled holes for hanging the trellis, or drill holes 3/16 inch in diameter in each corner of a trellis.
Place the trellis temporarily against the wall in the desired location using the pencil marks as a guide to center and level it, then use a paint pen to put a dot of white paint on the wall through the attachment holes in the trellis.
Drill holes with the special-sized drill bit for concrete screws or a 3/16-inch carbide-tipped masonry drill bit in the brick wall at the marked points.
Put the trellis back up against the wall, aligning it carefully with all the holes, and insert the concrete screws. Use the appropriate screwdriver -- either hex or Phillips-style head -- to fasten them tightly in the wall.
Use a measuring tape to mark and set concrete screws at regular intervals across and up the brick wall, leaving heads exposed about 1/4 inch.
Twist lengths of galvanized or vinyl-coated wire around each head, working from top to bottom, then side to side, to create a wire grid pattern.
Train plants along the wires as they grow. When plants fill out and mature, the wires will be invisible.
Things You Will Need
- Measuring tape
- Trellis of wood or plastic
- Carpenter's level
- 3/16-inch drill bit for wood or plastic
- White paint pen (or contrasting color for painted brick)
- Special-sized drill bit for concrete screws or 3/16-inch carbide-tipped masonry drill bit
- 1/4-inch concrete screws, hex or Phillip-style heads
- Hex or Phillip-style screwdriver or screwdriver bit for drill
- 18 gauge galvanized or vinyl-coated wire
- Safety goggles
- Many climbing vines, such as wisteria, grapes or roses, exert a strong pull on the structures supporting them, so wherever you have a choice in trellis designs and fasteners, choose the strongest available product to ensure a sturdy, long-lasting framework.
- Wear safety goggles when drilling in brick to prevent eye damage from flying dust and chips.
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