About Garden Arbors

Arbors add a special delight to any garden or yard. They are decorative and functional, creating an arched entrance down a walkway, have a bench built in where you can sit. Usually, they are created in wood or latticework, vinyl or metal with intricate designs and designed similar to a trellis with two sides and an overhead covering. Sometimes they have gates. Climbing plants or flowers often grow and cover them. Their placement serves to complement a garden.

Function

The function of arbors is to enhance a garden area, provide shade, identify an entryway, create a cozy nook similar to a pergola or simply become a support for growing vines and scented flowers that can can add even more attractive features. It all depends on what you would like to have in your garden. Made of wood, vinyl or metal, arbors are made to withstand strong weather and changing seasons. Decorated with little white lights, it will demand attention and become a thing of beauty.

Size

Many arbor sizes range from 6 to 8 feet tall and several feet wide depending on placement location, purpose and function and about 30 inches deep. Some are 6 feet wide or more. There are many different designs that include arched, flat top, pointed top, or A-frame. Side designs can be lattice, circular, or can be detailed with leaves or flowers. Some companies will custom design an arbor to meet your tastes and needs. Wood arbors can be painted white or varnished.

Considerations

Consideration should be given to location in your garden or yard, whether you want to have a bench as well, as a gate entrance or as an element of design to be placed around statuary or water features. You may want more than one arbor also. Arbors used to be major projects. Today, many companies have kits already prepared, complete with accessories and instructions so that it may take less than a day to assemble one rather than a whole weekend. Securing the arbor is also a consideration. The manufacturer will offer suggestions on placement so that it will not fall. Metal arbors in particular need added security such as concrete or spikes.

Benefits

Arbors add many benefits to the value of a home, a yard or garden. Their designs are traditional in many ways and are reminiscent of their use and placement in beautiful formal gardens that went with grand homes. We may not have grand homes, but we can certainly have lovely gardens accented with an arbor or two. An arbor enhances the beauty of any private area around a home and invites one to spend time in a peaceful setting out of doors for meditation and reflection.

Expert Insight

Arbors beg to have little white lights in them in addition to climbing flowers and vines. When it is fall and dark comes sooner, there's nothing like enjoying a fenced garden accented by a gated arbor with pretty little lights that may also mark the entrance to your yard. Neighbors strolling by in their evening walk will stop to chat and admire your efforts. It can be an inspiration to others who have considered enhancing their yards as well with a beautiful arbor.