Confused by the terminology at the garden center? Not sure if you need a pergola or a trellis, a gazebo or an arbor? Here are some guidelines that should help end the confusion. The choice is yours – use what you like and what works with your style.
When choosing items for the garden, consider your views. The view from the street should reflect the style of the house. For the view from inside to the back yard, consider that you may want to see a garden statue from inside, say on a rainy day. And consider the various spaces in your garden . . . separate areas can have different styles, just keep each area consistent.
Mix and match materials and colors but keep size and scale in proportion. And use multiples of what works to add balance to the garden.
| Arbor | Usually enclosed on one side by the structure itself or plant materials, creating a private, secluded area in the garden. |
| Arch | Smaller than an arbor, the arch is usually placed over a gate, separating areas of a garden. Plant materials are trained to climb the arch. |
| Containers | Whatever you select, keep it in style with your garden. Urns are more formal, especially if they have pedestals. Pots are more simplistic, usually made of clay or plastic. Planters can be simple or formal in design and are available in square or rectangular shapes and made of marble, stone or metal. Troughs are more rustic, usually rectangular in shape and can be made of stone, cement or hypertufa. So many options to mix and match! |
| Gazebo | A freestanding focal point in the garden, providing a place to sit or relax. |
| Pergola | Larger than an arbor and more substantial in the garden, it provides shade for dining and entertaining. Larger, heavier plants, such as grape vines or roses, can be better supported by the pergola. |
| Trellis | Plant support for vines – be sure you know if your vines have tendrils that wrap (sweet peas), feet that stick (ivy), or branches that wind through latticework and may require tying for support (passionflower) before choosing your trellis style. |
| Sundial | Used to tell time in the garden. Set it up initially so the dial shows no shadow at noon, and watch the shadows move around the dial. An armillary can also be placed as the center focal piece of a bed or lawn. |
| Statues | Animals, angels, fairies, gods and goddess, florals, etc. The list is endless. Keep the size in proportion to your area and reflect your style. |
| Water Features | Fountains can be freestanding, or wall mounted, grand in scale or small and unobtrusive. They can sound like waterfalls or create a slight trickle. Birdbaths provide hours of enjoyment for our feathered friends as well as ourselves; just remember to keep the water clean and fresh to reduce mosquito populations. |
Once you’ve chosen and placed your items, take care of them and they’ll provide years of joy. Always provide drainage in containers, whether flower pots, urns, or troughs. Keep them out of direct contact with soil by placing stepping stones or bricks under them; larger items may require masonry bases to provide support and prevent freezing and thawing during winter months. In winter months, be sure to bring any terra cotta, ceramic or other porous containers inside for protection from freezing and cracking. Some concrete and cast items can withstand harsh winters; check with your supplier if you’re not sure.
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