Adding Decorative Arbours to Your Garden
An arbour is the name given to a structure, natural or otherwise, over which plants grow, creating an enclosed area of dappled shade, often containing a seat. It is a romantic, decorative feature suitable for gardens of any size.
Both wood and wrought-iron arbours can be bought ready-made, but some models are insubstantial and flimsy, so manufactured units should be carefully inspected before being purchased. Arbours are also relatively easy to make. To a certain extent it does not matter what they look like because the framework can be covered up with climbing plants.
The simplest arbours do not involve any framework at all but are carved out of solid bushes or thick hedgerows. These take time to grow to a sufficient size, and they should be trained from the start to ensure an even coverage of foliage. If an existing bush is opened up it might take a while for the areas that have been cut to grow more leaves. Yew (Taxus) is an ideal material for a natural arbour but many other faster-growing evergreens can be used. It should be remembered, however, that the faster the growth, the more clipping will be required to keep the arbour neat. A suitable climber can be trained over an arbour to highlight and embellish the feature.
Wood is the most practical, versatile material to use for arbours as it is relatively cheap and the arbour can be constructed on site. Ready-cut, prepared wood is ideal for making smart, elegant structures, especially if thin wood is incorporated into the framework. This type of wood can also be used to build a much more functional, less decorative feature and, being a strong material, it will take the weight of a mass of climbing plants. The alternative is rustic wood in the form of poles; these will provide a strong but less regular framework, one that is more in keeping with rural or wild settings. It is also possible to use panels of trellis as the basis of the arbour, but these will need strong supporting posts.
All the joints must be well made and fastened with galvanized bolts and nails. Strength is important as the framework will not only have to bear the considerable weight of climbing plants but also the force of the wind. The main uprights should be well embedded in the ground, preferably in concrete.
Arbours can be used to support a wide range of plants, but particularly decorative arbours, such as those made from wrought iron, should only be partially covered. The more delicate and thin-leaved the plants, the more sunlight they will admit. Plants with open habits, such as roses, will provide the right density of cover, so the ornamental metalwork can be enjoyed as well as the flowers. Less formal wooden arbours can have a thick covering of foliage and flowering plants; this will create more shade and give greater protection from the elements.
