How To Turn The Unsightly Downspout In Your Yard Into A Stunning Display

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Let's face it — a downspout is not the prettiest part of your yard, yet they are necessary for diverting rainwater away from your home and preventing damage. While their job is essential, like bouncers at a club, they sure look ugly while doing it. If you've ever wished you could hide or disguise your downspout, this how-to could be the answer you're looking for. With a specifically designed downspout trellis and a climbing plant or two, an ugly downspout will no longer be a pimple on you're home's beautiful face.

While you're able to hide unsightly areas of your backyard with a DIY wooden trellis screen, a downspout needs a more focused solution. The answer comes in the shape of a curved trellis that copies the shape of the downspout but leaves a gap between the spout and the growing climber. Climbers that grow directly onto your downspouts can cause damage. By keeping the creeper off the surface of the spout, you get the benefit of beautiful blooms while still protecting the structural integrity of the downpipe.

Some trellises are exquisitely ornate, such as the Thealyn Outdoor Metal Garden Trellis, and upgrade the look of your trellis before your climbers start growing. While wooden downspout trellises aren't common, you can improvise by using three tall, narrow trellises and attaching them to form a half-hexagon around the spout. You can also opt for a more functional option, such as the Colingmill Plastic Downspout Trellis, which isn't ornamental but works. 

Not all trellises are created equal. You want to invest in a trellis that will last many years without needing to be replaced. When it comes to metal, the ideal trellises are heavy gauge, galvanized wire, or stainless steel that won't rust and will hold the weight of a tall stretch of creeper. Avoid wooden trellises made from flimsy or untreated wood, as they're likely to break or rot over time. Check for joins made from small staples or weak tacks, as they won't hold securely and are at risk of pulling loose. The last thing you need is your trellis collapsing onto your downspout.

If you're not finding a trellis that you like and will suit the outside of your home, you can always make your own affordable DIY trellis that's perfect for your climbing plants. That way, you can be sure all the materials are properly treated, strong enough, and secured with sturdy fasteners that will stand the test of time and exposure to the elements. 

Once you've picked out and installed your trellis, choose your favorite blooms from the climbing plants that'll effortlessly blanket your yard with color. Keep your USDA hardiness zone in mind when choosing, as this gives you the best possibility of your creeper thriving. For year-round color, plant a summer-flowering climber with a winter-flowering climber and let them grow together. They'll take turns flowering and disguise your ugly downspout all year round.