Arbors and Trellises by PJ LaRue Smith
Winter months need not keep the gardener from the garden, particularly during such mild days as we have had lately. Arbors and trellises, for example, are excellent projects to complete during this time of year.
For clarification within this article, an arbor is a structure that one can walk through, sit within, etc. While it can be attached to a building or some other structure, it typically stands alone within a garden. Plants grow up and over the arbor, creating a special place of solitude and retreat – rather like a little room within the garden. (Gazebos are similar, but instead of open lattice, wire, or wood overhead – as in the case of an arbor, there is a closed roof overhead.) Arbors can be constructed from trees, saplings, large branches, cattle panels, lattice, brick, stone, or any combination of these.
A trellis, by comparison, is any open-weave structure that suspends a sprawling or vining plant above the ground. Trellises can be as simple as a series of eye-screws and wires arranged in a suitable pattern on the side of a building; a fence along a property line; or even a group of branches gathered at the top and set in the center of a garden.
In planning the location of an arbor or trellis, it is important to view the garden as if it were a structure – much like one’s home. A home has a roof, walls, floors, and rooms that are designed for a specific use. Each of these, in turn, are constructed and covered with materials that are best suited for that area’s use. One would not build a wall that blocked a hallway, or obstructed the view of a particularly pleasing part of the home. The same is true for locating an arbor or trellis. Stand back, look at the garden, think about logistics, perspectives, manageability, and how it will look, not just today, or next year, but five or ten years down the road. This is especially important for more permanent structures that will be planted with vines that can grow to large proportions.
As mentioned above, an arbor can be designed like a small room, however, it is typically used in the garden as a type of hallway, often leading one into an open garden area different than the one at the opposite end. If an arbor is wide enough, benches can be place within the structure for quiet places of rest. Arbors that span small distances, such as those that contain gates, are viewed more as “doorways” into other areas.
If arbors are akin to door/hallways, then trellises can be viewed as living “walls” within the garden. Trellises used as a standalone focus can be likened to a kitchen island or a large table – keeping in mind that like these a walkway will be needed around it.
Material selection should take into consideration how much time one is willing to devote to maintenance. In the home, doorways and hallways see a great deal of traffic, and walls are subject to much abuse. The different materials used to create these parts require some sort of covering to protect it from the ravages of daily living. This is also true of outdoor structures, which take a beating from wind, heat, cold, moisture, insects, animals, plant tension/weight, and UV. Chose materials for your arbors and trellises as you would the home – select only those that will stand up well to these stressors and are easy to maintain.
Soil type and structure should also be considered so that the structure is stable, in the same manner that these two aspects are considered when the foundation of the home is planned.
Many books and online resources are available to get your creative juices flowing on structure shape and type. Visit various local gardens to see examples of what holds up well in this area. Places, such as the Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham, demonstrate the creative use of various materials in a natural setting. Explore, create, and enjoy!