The best garden arch for you

Deciding to update or to transform your garden with a garden arch is a great choice to make if you want to give your outdoor area a bit of a facelift without breaking the bank! Arches have the appeal of adding another dimension to your space, different heights of garden furniture and plants give the are a three dimensional feel which can be a great way of separating areas which you would like to be kept for different purposes. In the case of an averagely sized garden with a patio area, a garden arch can be a pretty way of creating an “entrance” of kinds into the garden area. There are various ways of tying the garden arch into the main garden, planters either side of the arch can be planted with climbing flowering plants which will bring beauty and fragrance into the patio area which has the effect of making your patio into a more luxurious seating area. There are many styles of arch on the market today, from trellis style wooden arches which suit a traditional or cottage-style garden very well to more contemporary metal frames, most gardeners will find something to suit the style of their garden.

Growing suitable plants for your garden arch

There are many types of climbing plant which will compliment your new garden archand if you are a fan of flowers with a sweet smell then you are in luck as many of the most robust climbing plants are also some of the most beautifully scented ones. Plants such as Honeysuckle are easy to grow and to care for and they have a wonderful scent to compliment their delicate blooms. Other suitable plants to grow on your garden archare as follows.

• Clematis: Stunning flowers in purple and other shades
• Jasmine: Star shaped blossoms with a delicate appearance that belies their tough nature
• Climbing Roses: Need more attention than other climbers but produce sweet scented and classic flowers
• Wisteria: Stunning purple flowers with a heady perfume, these take years to establish but many people think it worth the wait

How to situate your garden arch

Choose a space which is already part of a natural path, not one which cuts against a natural path for your garden arch. As long as the foliage is kept in check, the arch will remain a beautiful area of your garden for years to come. Decide which climbing plants would grow well in the area before planting them, some plants will only thrive in full sunlight whilst others prefer shade. Your arch will be a focal point and a thing of beauty for all to enjoy if you plan it well. Installing an arch is simple, follow instructions to the letter and ensure the arch is secured well in order that high winds do not disturb it, an unstable arch should be checked and reinstalled as a matter of urgency in case of accidental collapse which could be dangerous.