Pergolas are often covered with vines to make a shady walk.
Above: Elizabeth and David Hunter chose a canvas gazebo to create a garden room.
Follies were romantic “ruins” designed to provide a focal point in British gardens.
structures were often used for tea ceremonies. Gazebos were common in European
gardens starting in the Middle Ages. Sometimes gazebos served as follies in English gardens. Follies were buildings or contrived ruins that provided desti- nation points in the elaborate gardens of the wealthy.
Materials for your gazebo Put in the strongest base you can
afford. A concrete pad or even concrete blocks will add permanence to the struc- ture and help keep the floor from decay- ing too quickly. The base also ensures stability of the structure. Cedar heartwood is the most obvious
and desired material for today’s gaze- bos. It has a long lifespan, being insect and mould resistant, and it looks good in the garden. Treated pine has many of the same qualities as cedar. Bamboo is a long-lasting material that would work well in a Zen garden setting. Plastic or vinyl are options; they are
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both maintenance-free and don’t need to be painted. Vinyl is more durable than plastic. Wrought iron is another option for
your gazebo. Usually wrought iron gazebos are open and hung with plants, but they may have glass or plastic roofs. Nor is there anything to stop you from having your gazebo made from local stone or brick – it’s your dream and you will want it to fit into your neighbour- hood and complement your home. Today, canvas gazebos are widely
available and often feature screens that can be pulled back like curtains. Some are swathed in flowy materials, lending the room a romantic air. Canvas gaze- bos will have to be dismantled for the winter. A metal roof will provide the longest
life span for your structure, but it is expensive. You could use plastic or even glass. Wood and roofing tiles are anoth- er option. Think about your climate before making the final decision. Some
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of us may even be tempted to close in the sides as a further insurance against weather Finally, think about trim. These final
touches can make the most impressive statement of all. V
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