What is an Arbor & How Is It Used?

An arbor is a vertical structure in a landscape or garden that consists of two or four posts with a simple slatted roof (often arched, but not always). The sides of an arbor can be open or covered with lattice or trellis work for a more enclosed effect and to help vines better attach. An arbor can be attached to a fence, wall, structure, or be freestanding. Arbors can be constructed from wood or wrought iron and can be a do-it-yourself project or bought at a garden center or online.

What Is the Purpose of an Arbor?

An arbor serves both aesthetic and functional purposes in a garden. It can provide shelter, privacy, shade, and serve as an accent. It can blend in with the landscape or separate different garden areas and direct traffic. Its walls and roof consist of an open framework to support colorful and fragrant vines, flowers, fruits, and climbing vegetables. Typically placed over paths. entryways or benches, an arbor can increase privacy and add to shaded areas. It's a versatile addition to any outdoor space.

Arbor Building Basics

Size

Arbors can be various sizes but typically they range from 4 to 10 feet wide and 8 to 10 feet high. This allows plenty of room to walk under and maintain vines or plants climbing and growing overhead. Before buying or building your arbor, it's important to measure the space in your garden where it will go to make sure it blends well with your landscape. If the arbor is too large it will overwhelm a smaller garden while one that is too tiny will be dwarfed by a large garden space.

Material

Arbors can be built with treated or weather-resistant lumber—just make sure it is strong enough to support vines, some of which can become woody and heavy as they grow. They can also be bought and assembled in kits and come in materials such as bamboo, iron, and other metals.

Design

When designing an arbor for your yard, consider repeating the architectural details of your home. This will help tie together the house with the landscape.

Whether it will be freestanding or attached, an arbor will be supported by columns or posts, which support horizontal beams, rafters, or arches. Wooden rafters can be basic or detailed, with scrollwork and notches. In addition to vining plants, the arch or roof can be lattice, lath, or covered with a shade cloth.

Arbor vs. Other Garden Structures

Arbor vs. Pergola

Like an arbor, a pergola can be freestanding or connected to a house on at least one side. Often built over a patio or deck as a shade structure, pergolas are based on a similar post-and-beam construction as arbors. When attached to a house, a pergola will extend from the roof, creating a shaded space that connects the house and garden.

A freestanding pergola can be identified by having four or more posts or columns. It supports a roof that is traditionally flat, with beams left alone in one direction or topped with cross beams or slats. Unlike the smaller arbor structure, a pergola doesn't have enclosed sides.

An arbor also has an open roof, which can be flat or arched.

Arbor vs. Gazebo

Arbors and gazebos are both garden structures that provide shade from the sun and shelter during cool evenings. Both offer a place to sit, relax, and enjoy the garden as well as a view or place to entertain. If planned and positioned well, these two structures can link a house to the landscape, help direct foot traffic, frame a great view, or hide an unsightly one.

Gazebos and arbors can be built or are available in a variety of styles, from rustic to Victorian to modern. While a gazebo is constructed with open, airy framing, it has a feeling of being enclosed because of a solid roof overhead. It is also much larger than an arbor. Gazebos can be made more private by adding outdoor drapes or curtains on at least a couple of the open sides.

Conversely, an arbor features a more open framework on its walls and roof and often has vines growing up its sides and overhead.

Arbor vs. Trellis

While similar, an arbor is a major structural element and a trellis is smaller and more delicate. Both can provide support for plants as they grow upwards but an arbor is freestanding and defines the walkway or path in the garden it's placed over.

A trellis is usually incorporated into the arbor as the part where the climbing vines attach but it's not the entire structure. An arbor provides shade and privacy but a trellis by itself typically has an open weave that allows sunlight through. A trellis is perhaps less of an architectural touch or design element and solely a functional piece while an arbor adds both to the garden.