When G.R. (Gep) Durenberger opens his bedroom window, his eyes fall on a vine-covered arbor. “It catches your attention and creates a calming atmosphere in the garden,” says the San Juan Capistrano resident, who maintains two arbors in his backyard.

Rustic Garden Charm from the Past

Used widely during the Roman Empire, arbors contribute a certain charm to any garden. Often covered with flowering vines, these vertical structures provide a shady retreat from the summer sun, creating, in essence, “outdoor rooms.” Other free-standing arbors can be arched and have gates, seating, or swings.

“Arbors are rustic in nature and aren’t built as an addition to a house, but are a part of the outdoor ‘home’,” says Jeffrey Garton, owner of Paradise Designs in Dana Point. “Arbors blend with nature and are sometimes built with natural materials such as tree limbs and branches.”

Functional Beauty

Arbors are often used like doorways to create transitions between garden spaces:

• Connect different garden areas, such as a courtyard to a rose garden
• Define walkways or hallways between zones
• Add an inviting entryway or focal point

Durenberger’s arbors, for example, guide visitors from the parking area to his guest house, creating a scenic pathway.

Choosing Plants for Arbors

According to horticulturist Nick Federoff, the following plants thrive on arbors:

• Ivy
• Wisteria
• Ficus pumila
• Cape honeysuckle

Arbors vs. Trellises: What’s the Difference?

While similar, trellises differ from arbors in a few key ways:

• Trellises are often attached to walls or fences
• Used for growing fruits, vegetables, or flowers
• Can be used to screen unattractive items like air-conditioning units

Garton notes that trellises are great for small gardens or tight spaces where arbors wouldn’t fit.

Creative Uses for Trellises

Trellises come in many shapes and sizes, including fan-shaped, round, vertical, and horizontal. Gardeners like Marie Bouse use them to support:

• Fruit trees like kiwi and grapevines
• Vegetables such as tomatoes, squash, melons, and peas

Benefits include:

• Vertical space-saving
• Improved air circulation
• Increased plant health and reduced pests

Planting Tips for Trellises

Federoff advises caution when using vine-type plants on trellises:

• They require frequent pruning
• May outgrow the structure if not regularly maintained

Training and pruning are essential. Use garden stretch ties or clothespins to guide vines, then remove once plants grow in the desired direction.

Pruning Advice

If a vine or branch cannot be redirected:

• Use hand pruners
• Cut at a 45-degree angle, 1/4 inch above a bud
• Ensure the bud faces in the direction you want the plant to grow

Where to Buy Arbors and Trellises

Gardeners can purchase trellises at nurseries and home supply stores. Federoff recommends:

• Considering plant size before buying a trellis
• Looking for combo packages where the plant is pre-trained on a trellis

Because of their size, arbors are usually not sold pre-built. Options include:

• Prefabricated kits (e.g., Kinsman Co. in Point Pleasant, PA)
• Custom-built designs or mail-order plans from garden magazines

Designing Your Own Structures

Custom-built trellises and arbors allow for creative expression:

• Design your own patterns
• Use unique angles for latticework
• Experiment with natural materials

Wood choice is key. Federoff recommends redwood for durability, noting:

• Redwood lasts 30–50 years
• Untreated wood may decay in 3 years

“Study garden books or visit gardens for inspiration, then let your imagination run wild,” says Federoff.