Arbours and Pergolas are both wonderful timber structures that can be used to add height and a completely new dimension to your garden.
An Arbour is a covered outdoor seat. It can also be described as a garden building or structure. Arbours can be made from many different materials. However, they are typically constructed of timber with either lattice or willow work on the frame which is intended to be covered with climbing plants. An Arbour provides a shady resting place outdoors.

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A Pergola on the other hand is a pillared passageway that supports cross beams and a sturdy lattice which can be covered with climbing plants. Pergolas can vary hugely in size from the smallest path coverings to very grand long passageways or attachments to the side of your property. Pergolas do not usually have a seating area. Some times people often refer to garden pergolas in the same breath as garden arches. They are practically the same thing.

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Both garden structures allow you to climb plants over them enabling you to create a wonderful focal point in your garden that also provides you with shade on a hot summer’s day.

What to consider when buying an Arbour

• Check the latticework – Will it be strong enough to support your climbing plants?

• Do you want to cover the lattice with climbing plants or simply enjoy the design of the lattice and leave it as the focal point?

• Consider how many people you would like to sit on the arbour – a larger corner arbour may be appropriate if you have a large family or like to entertain outdoors.

• Choose the material – metal or timber. Metal requires little maintenance whilst timber will need to be treated annually.

• Style – If you are looking for a rustic seat choose a mature timber arbour, if your garden has more of a country cottage feel you may prefer to choose a painted timber frame or alternatively if you want a contemporary modern look opt for metal.

What to consider when buying a Pergola

• Consider what type of ground you plan to erect the pergola on – different surfaces i.e. decking, grass or concrete require a different form of fixing.

• What are you planning to use the pergola for –is it as a covered walkway or cover over your patio? There are many different sizes available to suit your needs.

• Choose the material – Pergola’s are available made from timber or metal. Timber frames will look very natural and will blend easily into your gardens backdrop however do consider that the pillars may warp and each year you will have to paint and care for the timber. Metal frames on the other hand require little/no maintenance but they are often more expensive and not as attractive to some as a timber structure.

You will find hundreds of different styles of garden arbours, pergolas and arches within out store.

Good luck finding the perfect structure for your garden

Gardener Jack

Climbing plants offer fantastic colour and a great way of adding height and depth into your garden. They allow you to cover any unsightly walls or fences at relatively low cost. Climbing plants also provide a brilliant way of dividing garden spaces or creating privacy.

Use this guide to learn how to make the most of these wonderful plants and train them successfully over arbours and pergolas.

Types of climbing plants

Clinging climbing plants
These plants attach themselves to buildings and structures by using tiny aerial roots or disks which are attached to their stem tendrils. An example of a clinging plant would be Ivy. These plants firmly cling to most surfaces and are extremely difficult to remove once settled. Their firm grip can damage wood and mortar in between bricks. If you are planning to use a plant of this type make sure your pergola or arbour is far from your home so that the plant doesn’t spread and cause any exterior damage.

Grabbing climbing plants
Wonderful tiny delicate stem tendrils or leaves reach out and intertwine themselves around structures allowing the plant to become secure and stable. Example of a grabbing climbing plant would be Grape vines, Sweet Peas or Clematis.

Twining climbing plants
These plants use their stem to twist and wind around objects in order to stabilise and support themselves. Examples of a twining plant include Honeysuckle, Jasmine and Morning Glory.

How to select the right climbing plant
There are several considerations that must be made before you decide on which climbing plant you want in your garden. Please do not go on looks alone instead consider the following:

• Does this plant like my soil type?

• What are the flowers and leaves like?

• What happens to this plant in the winter – will the leaves still provide coverage?

• Does this plant prefer being in the sun or a shady spot?

• How much pruning will be required?

• Can my structure provide it with enough support?

Providing support for your climbing plants
Some plants such as a Rose require very strong and sturdy structures whilst others are much less demanding. Check that your structure is strong enough to support your new plant.  Vines with coiling leaf and root tendrils need small width lattice usually less than 1 inch in diameter to grab on to. If you have already purchased your arbour or pergola and are concerned that the lattice gaps are too large you can attach a piece of trellis or wire netting on to the structure which will resolve the issue and allow you plant to climb.
Quick growing aggressive plants will produce dense foliage and will require adequate support for their increasing weight.
Choose a durable pergola or arbour that has been made from materials such as redwood or cedar that have been pressure treated and are rot resistant. These products are likely to last the longest.

Training your plant to climb
This stage is relatively easy all you need is patience, time and a ball of string! As the plant begins to grow, start training it to go in the direction you want by gently attaching it to your garden structure with string. Before long the plant will be able to take care of itself and follow the route you have laid out for it.
Remember plants such as Roses are not natural climbers and they will need constant training and support. Research carefully how much help and assistance your chosen plant will need before you buy.
During the early stages of growth, pinch back the stems so that the plants fill out before they start to grow in height and climb. This method ensures that you get good coverage as your plant will be healthy and full of foliage from the word go.

Good Luck

Gardener Jack

When creating our perfect idea of what a garden should be, we tend to focus heavily on the soft green stuff like the plants and lawn and often overlook the hard structures in our gardens that provide us with the definition, the lines and the boundaries that provide structure to our gardens.

Garden structures can really bring your back yard to life and make a huge difference to the look and feel of your green haven.

Picture a garden, imagine it’s current state to be flat with little height at the borders thanks to a shrub or two and the old tree at the bottom of the garden. Now imagine that same garden with a simple but spectacular arch in the centre sweeping over the path with beautiful flowers blooming across the entire structure. The arch brings a new depth and central focal point to any garden really improving the overall look and feel of that area.

The simplest and often the most cost effective hard structure that will really make a difference in your garden is an arch. You will find that there are both many styles and materials to choose from. How effective a garden arch will be in your garden will be based upon what kind of plant you grow up it and where you are planning to position the arch. Bear in mind that many different words are used to describe arches. Some often refer to pergolas and gazebos in the same breath depending on where you are in the country. They are all very different things but you will often find these words being intermingled.

The actual appearance of the arch structure can vary quite dramatically. Garden arches vary from having flat, peaked or curved tops. Some have an oriental feel whilst others follow a more traditional cottage garden style (the Rose arch). Garden arches will mainly be either made from wood or metal. Both have their pros and cons. Just find the one that suits your needs. Check out our store for different styles of garden arches at incredible prices ready for self-assembly.

Regardless of style most arches will have trellis on the sides to help your favourite climbing plants navigate the structure. For those of you with larger gardens you can purchase extra wide garden arches. Just wide enough to drive the ride-on lawn mower through

Jacks top tip! - Remember a garden arch should always lead somewhere or have a resting place in the form of a bench or seat underneath. Think of a focal point, imagine a pathway and bring some creative flair into your designs. You’ll be so proud of what you can come up with a simple diy garden arch.

Have fun and Happy Gardening

Gardener Jack