Projects On Arbors

Grape Arbor

• The quintessential arbor, and how most people probably envision a garden arbor, is the grape arbor. Built out of wood or iron, these structures allow grape vines to grow up from the sides and hang overhead. This gives your arbor shade, while simultaneously getting the fruit off of the ground and allowing the grapes to hang as they ripen. Grapes attract bees, so keep that in mind, and unpicked fruit can be a mess to clean up if your arbor is over a patio.

Rose Arbor

• Almost as popular as the grape arbor, a rose arbor is an excellent choice if you are less interested in fruiting plants. Rose arbors are wonderful decorative pieces in a garden, and combining several different varieties of climbing rose is a great way to add splashes of color to your arbor. The thorns keep squirrels and other climbing creatures from scurrying up the side of your arbor, and they make great hiding places for birds to build their nests.

Honeysuckle

• Honeysuckle arbors are a good option if you do not want to deal with the thorns and pruning requirements of rosebushes. They are similarly fragrant, but much more hearty in most zones. Their attractive flowers will provide you with a burst of color in spring and throughout the summer, while their lush green leaves will remain on the vine well into fall.

Ivy Arbor

• A classic choice, English ivy arbors are a popular piece in many a garden. English Ivy grows rapidly and can quickly consume an arbor, covering it in dense green leaves that remain on the vine through fall. English Ivy is intensely invasive, however, and care should be taken when planting this vine. It is nearly impossible to eradicate once it sets roots, and may be illegal to plant in some zones. If you live in a region where a cold enough winter makes this a less invasive option, however, English Ivy can be a great choice.