A trellis and a pergola are both outdoor structures that can enhance the beauty of your garden or yard, but they serve different functions and have distinct designs. A trellis is typically a latticework structure used for supporting and displaying climbing plants and vines. It can be freestanding or attached to a wall, and its primary purpose is to serve as a supportive framework for plant growth, adding a vertical element to your garden.
On the other hand, a pergola is a larger, freestanding structure often used to create a shaded walkway or sitting area. It consists of vertical posts or pillars that support a lattice of beams, often left open but sometimes covered for protection against the elements. Pergolas can be adorned with climbing plants, but they're primarily designed to provide a defined, shaded space in your outdoor area, often serving as an extension of the living space.
In summary, while both trellises and pergolas can support plant growth and add aesthetic appeal to your outdoor space, a trellis is a smaller structure primarily used as a plant support, while a pergola is a larger, more architectural structure used to create a shaded, functional outdoor space.