Architectural features add a sophisticated element to gardens. At first they made be ignored by the Do-It-Yourselfer home gardener. However, a professional garden designer should always include these features to create depth, density, and diversity in the garden.
As a garden designer, the first element I design into a new garden space is an arbor. Arbors function to bridge the inside and outside. From the house to the garden, an arbor is an invitation to discover what is outside. Arbors shade decks and patios so that our eyes can adjust to the bright sun of summer. They are the perfect place to grow aggressive vines such as wisteria, grapes, or trumpet vine.
Once in the garden, no green space would be complete without trellises to highlight beautiful climbers and vines that make a garden special. Trellises can be large or small depending on the kind of plant that is trained on them. Roses in full sun look fantastic on a big strong trellis. Using clematis blooms in protected spots on dainty trellises allow them to thrive and can be a real show stopper in your yard.