Garden


Plants, especially trees and shrubs, make the outline of any garden more interesting than would be a plot planted with border subjects, all of a similar height.


Even more interesting are those odd bits of garden architecture that, when placed strategically, add a touch of height, depth and often, mystery.


The structures are arbours, arches and pergolas.


Basically these are simple, open structures or frames that are designed for plants to grow up, around and under.


They can also support hanging baskets so, as long as they are correctly and securely erected, they are very useful features indeed.


Once they are in place you can put seats or benches underneath so that when the plants connected to them have come to maturity, they offer peaceful privacy as well.


Choosing the structure that is best for your plot is easy. Just tour round the garden centres. They will have a selection of ready built structures.


You can decide on one of those or use the ideas for a DIY project. However, beware. Fixing them securely is not so easy.


They must be anchored securely enough to resist high winds from all directions, plus the weight, which can be considerable, once the structure has been taken over by plants.


architecture Marsh Fritillary


Picture courtesy of Stephen Tolley stephentolley@btinternet.com


Arbours, arches and pergolas


There have been some nasty accidents involving collapsing arches and pergolas. Getting a time served tradesman to fit one is an excellent idea and can save time and trouble in the long run.


Just to clarify, an arbour is an arch covering a seat.


The top can be covered completely and the sides left open or filled with trellis to allow easier climbing for the plants.


Arches are the simplest of the structures and they actually come in kit form, perhaps the best looking are those made of wrought iron.


However, rough hewn lengths of chestnut or larch can make a rustic arch. It all depends what you prefer.


A pergola is just a deeper version of an arch. It gives extended areas of shade. It can also contain more than one seat or bench.


As soon as you have your chosen structure in place you can start to think about the plants you will train to climb or clamber up and over it.


The three main types are clematis, jasmine and climbing or rambling roses, but consider ivies, Virginia creeper and Russian vine.


Your garden centre will stock a selection of all of these.


Prepare the ground around the structure for planting by watering well.


When the planting is done, mulch well around the new plants and then wind the stems gently around the supports.


As the plants grow the stems will wind themselves. However, pinch out the leads early on so the lower parts of the plants become bushy.


If you don't you will have thick, heavy growth at the top and not much between that and the ground.


As the plants bloom, remember to dead head regularly to maintain a longer blooming season.


Prune the ramblers that bloom only once, in late summer, otherwise prune everything else in the autumn or late winter, taking the stems back to the posts.


Some plants like those mentioned above, will climb anything that stands still long enough, with no help from anyone or anything.


Others will grow vigorously as long as you provide suitable toe holds.


Left to themselves, some, like the Russian vine, will provide the most impenetrable ground cover you could dream about in your worst nightmares. Ivies and Virginia creeper are among the first type.


For the rest you will generally have to supply trellises, wires or any other kind of support that you can think of.


Of course, where the arches, arbours and pergolas are concerned, they are their own supports.


Something you should bear in mind about climbing plants is that some grow a great deal more vigorously than others.


Apple Arches at Lost Gardens of Heligan


Picture courtesy of Stephen Tolley stephentolley@btinternet.com


For example you can almost see the Russian vine growing. Wisteria too will set off in any direction it can get a hold.


This becomes a problem if the climbing frames are anywhere near windows. Both plants will happily push their way indoors if you let them!


CORNISH GARDENER - summer 2012 3


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