- The most traditional arbor is the one that curves over the stairway or pathway at the entrance of a garden or path to a home. Made of wood, metal, or even composite, these arbors create a visual distinction from one space to the next. As you walk under these vine encumbered, arched trellises, there is a distinct mark of passage from the formal exterior of a space to the more informal, welcoming interior of an intimate gathering place. In gardens, arbors can welcome guests to come in and take part in the sweetness of the flora and foliage it has to offer.
- In a Victorian garden make-over, HGTV.com gardening experts recently created an elegant arbor that acts as a focal point, drawing attention to the impressive water fountain feature beyond. When you walk down steps to reach the garden, you are drawn through the delicate, simple, vine covered arbor to the sumptuous and restful image of flowing water. By placing the arbor in this strategic spot, it functions as a vertical garden element adding height and a sense of seclusion, as well as framing the water feature. Any kind of statue, topiary or water accent could be enhanced by framing it with a cleverly placed arbor.
- When editors of This Old House magazine named their favorite outdoor spaces, a charming lakeside garden with a picket fence and gate style arbor made the list. What is clever about the arbor pictured is its use of the traditional, narrow arbor with a lovely old climbing rose for the fence gate as well. The gate mimics the round archway of the arbor with a scooping shape so when closed, the gate and arbor create a circlet view of the lake beyond. When framed with blooming flowers, the gate is almost a symbol of the beckoning beyond, inviting guests to an adventure just outside the garden fence.
- Arbors can be built in a box shape rather than arched in such a way that they create an outdoor room. These arbors are quite large, often large enough for an outdoor table and seating underneath. Broad-leaved, climbing vines can be trained over the arbor to create not only shade for the seating area but also to perform the traditional duty as a garden structure. Grape vines, in appropriate climate zones, make the perfect covering choice for the outdoor room arbor. Stone or brick may be used on the garden floor underneath the arbor to define a seating area and make a flat surface for furnishings.
- Better Homes and Gardens illustrates how an arbor can function as an architectural feature and an outdoor hideaway in your garden. By utilizing cedar, redwood or other sturdy outdoor quality wood, you can create a tall structure with a narrow roof and side panels with wide spaces in between the slats to allow air and light to flow through. An arbor can be placed against the back wall of a garage, house or outbuilding to provide additional support and seclusion if desired. This larger arbor form, six feet tall and wide, is perfect for placing a bench beneath to enjoy the quiet beauty of the garden and the structure above.
