Preparation of Garden Arch

Garden Arch

A metal, stone or wooden structure which is made with plants (semi woody, climbers or any other vine type’s plants) to walk through into the garden or any other places is called arch.

A garden arch can be both decorative and useful and will create vertical appeal in the garden. Covering arches with plants will provide vertical interest outside and will often form a good visual link between the house and garden. Climbers fulfill many functions in the garden, especially arches not only can give exotic fragrances and color, but can also help provide dappled shade and privacy for seating areas.

Kinds of Garden Arches

It is possible to create an arch with a length of the kind of reinforcing wire mesh that is placed in cement. It too will need to be tied to stakes at each end. This type of arch is not meant to be seen and the wire squares will soon merge with the foliage. It is relatively inexpensive.

A larger and more expensive garden arch is the kind built with timber. It will have four high corner posts along with timber cross pieces and verticals for more support. There will be struts placed across the top at intervals. This kind of archway is suitable for those rampant climbers such as wisteria or a grape vine. It would look beautiful as a feature in the center of the yard, but take up less room if located over the entrance to the drive.

Where to Place a Garden Arch

Many people tend to place a garden arch at a gateway and this can be quite beautiful. Training plants to climb up the arch is what it is all about. Once the vine is over the arch, not much of the arch remains to be seen. It is even possible to create an arch with a length of the kind of reinforcing wire mesh that is placed in cement. It too will need to be tied to stakes at each end. This type of arch is not meant to be seen and the wire squares will soon merge with the foliage.Near to a doorway is another place that is popular for a garden arch, but this needs to be of the more decorative kind rather than plain wire mesh. A garden arch can also lead from one section of the garden to another, or form part of a dividing fence.A garden arch looks both elegant and graceful with or without plants climbing over it. However, placing it next to a gateway is not necessary. A garden arch will look great simply placed as a feature in the middle of the lawn. A birdbath placed underneath will attract birds and the arch will become a good place for them to perch while they look for signs of danger or preen their feathers.To save mowing around the birdbath and arch, lay down a circle or square of black plastic underneath and cover it with small pebbles and maybe a potted plant or two. Choose pot plants that are hardy and drought resistant if the arch is placed in full sun.

How to Anchor the Garden Arch

A garden arch cannot simply be stood up in its position and left; the wind will soon bring it down again and probably damage it into the bargain. Drive a stake in at each end and wire the garden arch securely to them for support. Timber garden stakes can be used, but steel fencing stakes are better as they will last for years, while timber ones will rot after a year or two. Alternately, dig a small hole and place the feet of the garden arch in them, then fill with a dry cement mixture. Pour a little water into the cement powder and it will set firmly around the feet.

While this does anchor the garden arch securely, plants that do not like alkaline soil will not then grow at the base of the arch, so think ahead to the end result that is planned before going ahead with cement. Pebbles and soil tamped down around it instead of cement may hold it well enough until the vines are growing over it.

What Plants to Grow Over the Garden Arch

Not all garden arches are strong, so when choosing a vine to clamber over the arch, make sure to avoid rampant climbers. Find out how long the vine usually grows. If that is the same length as the garden arch then it would be suitable. But if there is to be a vine at each end of the arch, then each should grow just over half the distance of the archway, otherwise much pruning will be needed to keep it all looking tidy.

Naturally, plants to suit the climate will need to be chosen. Vines that give flowers, berries and pretty foliage as well are the best value for money. But it is also possible to use plants that are not climbers by cutting off all but two of the strongest shoots and tying them securely to the arch as they grow. Make sure the mature plant reaches the same height as the garden arch, allowing for the curve. That way there will not be a bare patch at the top as the plant runs out of steam. 

Different Habits of Climbers
 

Climbing plants grow in several different ways. There are those, such as ivy, that climb by means of aerial roots, and those  like Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus)  that stick to the wall with suckers. By their very nature these plants tend to stay flat to a wall and, while they may be ideal on solid brick arches, they are less suitable for covering structures made of wood or metal. For these, twining plants are preferable since they will not only cover all sides of the posts but will also reach from beam to beam, giving a greater coverage of foliage and consequently more shade.Some plants, such as passionflowers, twine around posts by sending out tendrils, while the whole stem of other plants, such as honeysuckle, winds around posts and beams. However they cling, all climbers benefit from a helping hand when planted; tie them onto vertical wires attached to the pergola posts. For most plants, this is sufficient assistance and they will soon start climbing, but roses in particular may need to be tied in more often: they will climb readily only if there are other host plants into which they can hook their thorns.Many woody climbers, especially wisteria and many of the climbing roses, are extremely heavy when mature and need the support of a very sturdy framework.

Benefits of Annual Climbers

- These one-season plants provide interest while slower-growing permanent plants establish.
- Annuals can be trained through permanent climbers or shrubs to keep interest    through the seasons.
- These climbers offer shade in summer but disappear to let in more light during winter.
- Some fast-growing tender climbers can be grown as annuals in areas of winter cold; they can be enjoyed without needing to overwinter.

Steps of Arches Preparation

Step 1: Getting your tools and materials

Buy 1/2-in. and 3/8-in. steel rebar. 1/2-in. for the arches and 3/8-in. for the circles.

Step 2: Create smooth bends with stakes

To create that swooping arch from the 1/2-in. rebar, make a simple bending jig on the ground. Cut the 10-ft. length of 1/2-in. rebar into ten 10-in.-long stakes. Drive one rebar stake into the ground and tie a 3-ft. string to it. When you pull the string taut, you create a compass and can mark a smooth arc with chalk. Space the other nine stakes evenly in a semicircle around the arc, driving them at least 5 in. deep.

The 3-ft. radius makes an arch that will span 6 ft. And can make it larger or slightly smaller.

Step 3: Create circles with a conduit bender

Bend the rebar into a circle with a conduit bender. Cut off the extra rebar. Repeat until you have nine circles.

Step 4: Assemble the arches

Position the anchor holes for the trellis 6 ft. apart and 12 in. between arches. Drive in stakes to start the holes, then pull them out.  Now find the ideal spot in your yard for the trellis and lay out the footprint. To keep it sturdy and stable, you have to sink each arch end about 18 in. into the ground. Measure up each leg and wrap tape at the 18-in. mark as a depth guide.With a helper, press the ends of the two arches into the ground. Drive a stake partway down to get started, or use a 3/4-in. steel pipe as a holder .

Then add the 3/8-in. rebar circles. Position the first circle about 2 ft. up from the bottom of your arch. Any lower and you may be inviting little feet to use the trellis as a makeshift ladder. Use cable ties to temporarily secure the circles in place, with the cut ends against one arch.
Later you'll cover these sharp edges with the wire wrap. Space the remaining circles evenly around the arch. They'll be about 6 in. apart. The cable ties allow you to easily reposition the circles for the best appearance before you wire them into place.

To bind the circles, simply wrap the copper wire around the arch/circle joint. There is no special technique here. About 2 ft. of 18-gauge solid copper wire will do. Just keep the binding tight and extend it about 2 in. along the joint for good stiffness. And tap the wire ends down flat to the rebar with a hammer.Once you attach the circles to the arches, your trellis is ready to shepherd creeping vines upward, adding height and dimension to your outdoor space.Drive 3/4-in. pipe into hard soil, then set the arch end in the pipe. If you have hard soil, you won't be able to push the arches directly into the ground. Instead, you'll have to plant the rebar arches in a pipe.

Drive an 18-in. length of 3/4-in. galvanized pipe most of the way into the ground as shown. Pull out the pipe and poke the dirt from the inside of the pipe until it's open. Then push the 3/4-in. pipe back into the hole and drive it down until it's flush with the ground. Now, simply insert the arch ends in the pipe.


Different Arches Plants

Morning Glory

The twining annual Ipomoea tricolor 'Heavenly Blue' has a superb flower display from summer to autum.

Heavyweight Wisteria

A strong framework, such as that of this solidly built pergola, is needed to support the weight of the elegant, but vigorous, wisteria.

Trumpet Vine

From late summer to autumn, the sun-loving deciduous climber Campsis x tagliabuana produces interesting orange-pink trumpet-shaped flowers.

 Clematis Archway

Clematis climb using tendrils that twine around posts, or other plants. Here the flowers have climbed above the arch to create a wonderful blanket of color.

Lilac Solanum

Evergreen in mild areas, the fast-growing Solanumcrispum ('Glasnevin') provides a lovely summer display of flowers.

Golden Hops

A simple arbor is brightened and covered quickly by the fast-growing golden hops (Humuluslupulus 'Aureus').

Climbing Hydrangea

Although slow to establish, this shade-tolerant climber becomes vigorous. Its lace-like flower caps appear in summer.

Maintenance

Here are some top tips to maintain the perfect condition of arch:

• Protect timber with preservative regularly
• Coloured stain gives a quick fix
• Firm up loose posts by setting in concrete
• Check bolts and nail fittings regularly and replace as necessary
• Sand old timber
• Oil hardwoods to keep in pristine condition.

Care for climbers

• Train climbers by securing wires vertically up posts and horizontally along beams and tying plants carefully with twine
• Release and adjust shoots as necessary
• Prune in accordance with the plant recommendations – some climbers need light pruning, others need more drastically cutting back and getting this wrong can discourage regrowth

Creative uses of arches around the garden

• Framing a view or focal point of the garden
• Making a fragrant seat inside the garden and providing privacy
• Creating an entrance site
• Dividing garden into rooms and from outside
• Adding height and interest
• Creating a shady refuge and mental refreshment

Presented and prepered by:

Md. Rafiqul Islam Shuvo 

B.Sc.Ag.(Hons.) , PSTU

MS in Horticulture, BAU

www-agricultureinfo.blogspot.com

shuvo_ag10@yahoo.com