There is nothing that adds style to your garden like an arbour. It makes a statement that your garden is an extension of your home rather than a little patch of flowers in the yard. Arbours can be garden entrances, or join two garden areas together. If your garden is large, an arbour can sit somewhere inside it, serving as a charming accent.
Where To Put Arbours
Do you have a small area that you would like to serve as a garden? An arbour is just the thing. It can actually be your garden! There are many flowers and vines that can be planted and trained to climb the sides of arbours and window boxes can be built on the sides. Build an arbour with a seat inside and you’ve just created a small but beautiful garden with a place to sit and enjoy it. Rose arbours are always an attractive feature.
Arbours don’t have to involve a garden, however. They can serve as architectural features that add style to other outdoor areas of your home such as a pool area. Consider having one at the entrance to a yard or at the beginning of a sidewalk or path. An arbour with a swing built into it could stand alone as a focal point.
So Many Kinds of Arbours
Now that you know you need an arbour (or two!) you will have to decide on what kind. Garden arbours can be purchased in any number of materials. Wood, vinyl, aluminum, or wrought iron are all popular choices. Do you have garden fencing? Go with something that will match it or serve as an accent to it.
Buy It or Build It?
You can have your arbour professionally installed or do it yourself. If you like handyman projects, building an arbour would be a fairly easy project that would show off your skills outdoors where the world can see them.
If you do decide to build your arbour, you are only limited by your imagination. Think about using old screen or wooden doors or other salvaged architectural elements in your design. If you don’t want to design it yourself, there are plans or kits available that will make the job easier.
Now That It’s Done
So you’ve chosen a style and location and bought or built your arbour. How can you accent it?
Some prefer to let the beauty of the arbour speak for itself, keeping any plantings to a minimum. Others completely cover their arbours in easy to grow climbing vines or flowers. Deciding if you want your arbour to be a focal point or if you want it to blend naturally with other features will help you with the next step. If you are unsure of what you want, the best way is to start with a small amount of something and add to it as you go.