Garden Arbors

A well-placed arbor does double duty — it frames an entrance and gives climbing plants somewhere to show off.

Setting the Scene

An arbor at the start of a garden path creates a welcoming entrance while hinting at what's further along — a peek of the retreat waiting at the end without giving it all away. Once covered in climbing vines, it also becomes a shaded resting spot; a bench or chair tucked beneath one turns it into a destination in its own right, not just a passage through.

Materials and Plant Pairings

Traditional arbors are built from cedar or teak for a rustic look, though wrought iron offers a more elegant alternative. Whichever material you choose, clematis and wisteria are classic choices for climbing over the top and creating a real focal point. A pergola — with its flat, horizontal top — is worth considering as an alternative shape to the traditional arch if you want a slightly different silhouette in the garden.