trellis - need ideas and info

firstly, am i asking this question in the right sub-forum?
if not, i apologise.
admin - if need be, please move my post.

ok, i want to setup a trellis in my back garden.
it will actually be 2 trellises - so it forms a pathway into the garden.

height - about 6 feet.
length - about 8 feet.

the trellis will go in a spot where there will be more or less full sunshine for most of the day.
the sun will traverse this spot from left to right.

what wood is best to use as a trellis?
how much weight can it hold?
and how rot resistant is it?

i am thinking of building this myself.
so i need help about how to set the structure up.

should i just build smaller individual structures - ie like a common feeder box with attached trellis.
and then have 2 of these on one side and 2 more on the other?
simpler to do and perhaps easier to maintain?

or the other idea i have is to put down some heavy support joists - 3 on one side equally spaced - same on the other side.
then build the "lattice" framework between the joists.
would this be better if the climbers were of the heavier variety?

i'm not sure what climbers i'd have growing.
definitely the flowering types - ie not vegetation / fruits.

ok, over to you for your advise.

thanks.

 

would it not be cheaper to have a few wooden posts spaced at 3 meter intervals with galvanised wire set at 300mm spacing for the creepers to be tied onto? ....

with the correct creepers, the fence will be covered in a few seasons and you wont have to worry about wood rot

 

that is one idea.
but i thought i'd try something fancy.

 

This is a difficult one to answer as there are several variables.

To begin..

How wide is the pathway going to be? This could influence material choice, as you could end up making it look heavy and claustrophobic, or spindly and lost.

What is the format of the garden? Cottgage, contempory etc.