How to Build a Wisteria Support Trellis and Pergola

Peter gives us this account of his wisteria support:

The following pictures are of a pergola or climbing frame I built from your system for a very vigorous wisteria vine in the historic district of Frederick MD. It is strong enough for me to also use it for doing chin ups first thing each morning. The vine previously had a light frame which was in constant danger of collapse, especially in windstorms and from snow accumulations. Your system supports a grid of lighter garden stakes and netting for the vine to work itself around. Wistaria is very difficult to control but this is designed to keep it all within reach for weekly clipping while being high enough to produce a shaded arbor underneath.

Peter calls out how his wisteria support trellis made of Kee Klamp has a number of benefits:

• It's strong - strong enough to support the weight of a grown man doing chin ups!
• It provides a shaded area underneath to sit.
• It keeps the wisteria within reach so it can be easily trimmed and controlled.

What Parts Are Used to Build the Support Trellis

Peter used size 7 pipe. This is 1-1/4" Schedule 40 pipe that has an outer diameter of 1.66 inches. This pipe is strong enough to support the heavy loads of both wisteria and snow. To connect the pipe Peter used the following fittings:

Parts you'll need

20-7 - Side Outlet Elbow, 1-1/4"

Forms corners at the top 01 x $44.72 $44.72

25-7 - Three Socket Tee, 1-1/4"

Supports wisteria in middle of structure 01 x $43.93 $43.93

12-7 - 45° Single Socket Tee, 1-1/4"

Connects angled supports 01 x $40.27 $40.28

Size 7 - Gator Tubing 12 Gauge 1 1/4"

01 x $9.87 /ft $9.87

Alternative Part

C52-777 - Corner Swivel Socket, 1-1/4"

Reduces connections on support legs down to one 01 x $83.68 $83.68

The bottoms of the leg pipes were cemented into cinder blocks to give it a very stable base.

Kee Klamp has been used to build all kinds of support trellises and greenhouse structures. Check out some of the related links below and connect with our projects team if you need assistance in building your own wisteria support trellis.