Pagoda Arbors

Some 4,000 years ago, pagoda arbors were first used in the gardens of Chinese emperors. Today, you can find these garden beauties in just about every park or rock garden, and in an increasing number of homes around the globe.

What Is a Pagoda Arbor?
A pagoda arbor is often an entryway or transition area into a garden, and can be just as useful as it is beautiful. These structures, typically arched, are beautiful by themselves, or can be enhanced with shrubs or creeping vines. Some popular examples of commonly used plants are roses, grapes, or ivy. Most pagoda arbors are built with this purpose in mind, and feature a trellis-style design to allow for maximum climbing and growth.

What Is a Pagoda Arbor Made Of?
Pagoda arbors are typically made from one of three different materials, and the type of pagoda arbor one chooses can have a lot to do with climate, weather, and garden style.

A wooden pagoda arbor provides the most natural look to your garden, because it's made from natural materials. The most dependable wood for your pagoda arbor is a durable hardwood like Western Red Cedar. Remember that a wooden pagoda arbor may have slight imperfections in its design, but can be easily treated and stained to last longer.

A vinyl pagoda arbor is also an attractive choice, and perfect for someone who might not have a lot of time, as the vinyl style is quick and easy to assemble. Each piece of a vinyl pagoda arbor is created to fit perfectly with the next. Vinyl is easy to take care of and clean, is extremely light weight, and can be molded to simulate the look and feel of wood, without the hassle of weight or maintenance.

A metal pagoda arbor is a unique choice because it can't be replicated by vinyl or wood models. Wrought iron is a popular choice for this style of pagoda arbor; however, all metal models usually have an open "ladder style" design. These arbors are extremely durable, but because of their heavy weight, they're typically limited in size.