Arbor Buying Guide

Garden arbor materials and styles

With all of the digging, planting, watering, pruning, and weeding that is the gardener's life, one can sometimes forget that a garden is a work of both labor and art. Gilding the lily may be garish, but creating the perfect setting in which to display a lily is a time-honored tradition. Through the use of ponds, garden fountains, trellises, and arbors, a gardener becomes a curator of his or her own gallery - except better, since security guards won't let you smell paintings. Here are some tips on choosing the best arbor for your garden.

Material

Wood Because they're made from an organic material, wood arbors are a natural fit for gardens. However, natural materials are also more prone to weather- or moisture-related problems. For best results, we recommend buying a cedar wood arbor or a garden arbor made from a wood that's known for its durability and insect- or moisture-resistance. Metal Copper, iron, and steel are the primary materials used in our metal arbors. Any of these metals should provide excellent strength and durability - important qualities if you're planning to grow a heavy perennial climbing vine. If you admire gardens that have a sense of character and age, one of our copper arbors would help to create that atmosphere in your own garden. Copper acquires a verdigris patina as it ages, which can look very rustic and romantic. Iron arbors are rightly famous for their style, and are ideal for a more ornate or Gothic sensibility. A metal arbor made from steel will provide durability and weather-resistance at a low cost.

Vinyl

Vinyl is the preferred choice of gardeners who want a low-maintenance, weather-resistant landscape feature. Most of our vinyl arbors are traditional in style and white in color. An arched vinyl arbor looks very handsome as an entryway or wedding arbor.

Style

Arch, gable, Gothic, pergola, and planter box are the arbor styles available at SimplyTrellises.com. Garden arbors are also available with benches, swings, gates, and side wings.

When choosing a garden arbor style, don't forget about function. It's nice to have a vantage point from which to view the results of your labors, and an arbor with a bench or a swing would make a lovely spot for doing just that.