Not mine, but I really like this trellis.

Here is a link that might be useful: Clematis Trellis

I have been to the Rogerson Clematis Garden and those wood framed wire trellises are really nice. I wish I had my husband make me those instead of the lattice ones he did make. Clemmies don't climb lattice very well...

This was a windmill that rusted apart. El cheapo from Tuesday Morning.

Multi-Blue, Bettina and Gillian Blades are planted on it
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Piilu on a metal obelisk
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Freestanding trellises, use wire if you make these, not lattice
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What type of wire do you use in place of the lattice?

I think 16-18 gauge wire would be fine. Anything heavier would be excessive for clematis and harder to work with.

I would string one continuous length of wire through the eye hooks, then attach a turnbuckle so you can tighten the wire if it gets a little slack.

Or you could use green vinyl coated fencing that you staple to the backside of the wooden supports. It comes in 4 foot tall rolls at most home improvement stores. It is very resilient and easily allows you to pull the vines off when you prune things back.

This type of wire fencing. I posted the non coated because you can see the photo better than the green vinyl coated.

You can find it at feed/farm stores too.

Here is a link that might be useful: wire fencing

Why wouldn't you want to use the lattice? I absolutly love those by the way.

Because the Clematis can't grip and climb the lattice on their own and it is time consuming to weave them in and out and they often break off when I do so.

uhm... could someone please explain waht the difference between a trellis and lattice is?
(not a native english speaker ;-)

When we talk about lattice, we are referring to something like this...
http://www3.shopping.com/xGS-Lattice_Panel~NS-1~linkin_id-8001688

Sheets of lattice are often used to make trellises.

ok, I get it. So it was lattice versus wire, not trellis. I misunderstood.
And now, why can't clematis climb a lattice on its own?

I'm new to clematises and my husband and I have just built some structures in our garden that we want clematises to climb. We got some metal lattices, the metal "wire" is 3mm thick. I hope they will work.

Most lattice is too wide, so the petioles can't wrap around it well.

Your metal lattice will be perfect.