Arch Landscaping

Climbing Vines

• Arches lend themselves well to climbing vines and flowers, particularly if they are made of latticework. Install an arch in a place that gets enough sunlight and plant vines or flowers so they grow up and through the boards. In doing so, you can connect the arch to the natural feeling of the landscape.

Fountain

• For a dramatic garden statement, use an arch to frame a fountain in your yard or garden. Install a small fountain that will fit under the arch with enough room to walk around it. Put in the arch above the fountain and use stones or a bed of flowers around the base. The soft arcs of water will mimic the shape of the arch, creating a pleasing symmetry.

Hidden Garden

• Create the feeling of a long-lost garden area by placing the arch in the center. Put the arch in first, allowing enough room for the base to be firmly embedded in the ground. Plant flowers and shrubs so they grow up around the base of the arch, covering the sides and creating a wild look. To maintain the structural integrity of the arch, give the plants a bit of space around the base so they do not weaken the wood.

Seating Area

• Put the arch on a base of cobblestones or paving bricks, creating a rounded area with a border of flowers. On the stone patio area, put in a small table and chairs. You can also put the area in a corner of the yard for a sheltered look or in the center for a more dramatic effect. The arch will create a storybook feeling that can lend an air of old-world romance to the lawn.

Arch and Fence

• Use an arch to create a dramatic entrance to a yard or garden. Place the arch directly over a walkway, preferably on the edge of the yard. Install a fence on either side that connects directly to the sides of the arch. You can also put in vines around the arch so visitors have the sense of walking under the arch into a bower.