Garden Arbors

"A garden is a delight for the eye and a solace for the soul," noted the famous Persian poet and philosopher Sadi. If you've ever enjoyed the many colors and fragrances of a garden or tended to one, you'll surely agree. And, if you are driven by a passion to make your garden even more of a visual delight, there's nothing like a garden arbor to highlight its best attributes and draw attention away from any weaker points.

An Atistic Transition While garden arbors, usually doorway-sized structures with arched tops, go way back to Medieval times, it was only in the Victorian era that they become popular as an innovative way to dress up the garden and yard. You can use an arbor as a dramatic entry to the front walkway or as an archway that separates a yard from a garden. Striking Focal Point For a garden to stand out and become the focus of attention, it needs to have more than just complementary flower colors and interesting foliage. To achieve this, a vertical feature like a garden arbor is very important. A well-placed arbor is capable of drawing your eye up and creating a much-needed focal point for your garden.

New gardens, especially, are in need of structures to provide this vertical focal point. While flowering trees and large shrubs can be used to provide natural vertical interest over the long term, a garden arbor supporting vines or climbing plants works beautifully during the initial years.

Glorious Getaway
Being open and airy, garden arbors create a beautiful, relaxing area in the midst of natural beauty. Your arbor might serve as a shelter for your outdoor dining table where you can enjoy a cozy meal with family members. A bench or chairs can turn your arbor into a beautiful party or gathering area for your friends. Garden arbors also provide a private refuge where you can get away from the daily grind and relax with a refreshing drink and a good book.

Things to Keep in Mind
A garden arbor should blend with the aesthetics of your home and garden and it should be sized to suit the requirements of your garden. Arbors come in different price ranges and can be made of wood, vinyl, and metal. Make your decision based on the kind of weather conditions you experience and on whether you're planning for a permanent or a temporary structure.