Design an arch into the landscape

Aches add wonderful effects to the garden (Photo by Jane Gates)

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If you want to dress up your garden with a powerful design structure add an archway into your landscape. You can use an arch as a part of another structure, a wall or fence or for a stand-alone focal point. Arches can be simple and inexpensive or elaborate works of art.

 The rounded form of a curved archway can soften the harder, more angular edges of house and garden structures. Archways can be angular, too. Cross bar archways can be effective in Asian designs or Old West styles. An arch can be built as part of a brick or stone wall or be a continuation of a wooden fence. You can color it to blend in with its surroundings or color it for contrast.

Powder coated and wrought iron fences can be bought as kits and assembled in the garden. Or you can build your own archway with wood, metal, rustic branches, a cemented framework, or anything you want. An arch can be cobbled together with rough chunks of wood to make a rustic creation. Heavily built stone, wood or cement constructions can have windows, tiles or materials cut in, surfaces can be painted, textured or coated.

Use an arch to welcome visitors to your landscape, rose garden or even a vegetable patch. You can even add a gate to your arch for security or containment. Or add an arch to your gated entry. Decorate a flat area with the height of an ornamental arch or set several arches together to build a pergola. Arches add height and create windows through which you can view a part of your landscape. Build an arch into your garden to add décor, style and beauty. It can be an integral part of your design or a quick way to transform an ordinary garden into something exciting.