Garden Arbors and Trellises

Your garden has a gap that needs a frame: a path that wants a doorway, a gate that looks bare, or a rose that has nothing to climb. The right structure depends on how wide the opening needs to be and what look suits your house. This page walks through the main styles so you can pick one that fits.

Classic arbors with a wide opening

If you want a proper entrance, start here. These arbors have a four-foot opening, generously spaced side lattice and top slats. That gives you room to walk through with a wheelbarrow or a friend, and room for a good spread of climbers. The Mount Vernon is the stately option. The Canterbury comes in a 42" and a 48" opening, so you can match it to the gap you have. Its latticed sides are meant for morning glories to weave up.

Victorian and garden-gate styles

Some arbors lean on traditional detail. The Victorian Garden Arbor has amply latticed side panels, which suits climbing plants that like lots to hold. The Harmony Arbor is a good fit for a more relaxed, natural planting by a bench or a lawn edge. Both suit a cottage-style garden or a traditional house.

Rounded and arched tops

A curved top softens straight fences and square beds. The Round Rose Arbor is made from decay-resistant treated pine and has lattice for flowers, vines and ivies to climb. The Roman Arch Arbor is 3' x 4' and has a gently sloping roof. It is a tidy choice for roses or other vines where space is a bit tighter.

Pergola-style arbors

The Rose Arbor Pergola has a squared look and a flat, oriental-style crown. Its planks are widely placed, so there is plenty of play room for vines. It suits a modern or Asian-inspired garden, or anyone who finds lattice too busy.

Simple trellises

Not every climber needs an archway. A trellis is a flat frame you stand in the garden, and the Treated Pine 3' Rose Trellis is described as a vertical welcome mat for roses. It works against a wall or fence, or in a bed where you want height. It is also the easy way to try climbing roses before you commit to a larger structure.

How to choose

• Measure the opening. The 42" and 48" Canterbury and the four-foot Mount Vernon show how much the width can vary. Check the gap on your path or gate first.
• Think about the plant. Lattice sides suit twining climbers such as morning glories. Widely spaced planks, as on the pergola, leave more room for vines to spread.
• Pick a shape to match your house. Victorian for traditional homes, a flat crown for a cleaner look, a curve to soften straight lines.
• Look at the material. Several of these are treated pine, described as decay-resistant. Check each product page for finish and care details.
• Follow the manual. Anchor and assemble as the instructions say.

Questions people ask

Do I need an arbor or will a trellis do?

A trellis is enough if you only want something for a plant to climb. Choose an arbor if you want to walk through it or frame a gate.

Which one suits climbing roses?

The rose-named options are the Round Rose Arbor, the Rose Arbor Pergola and the Rose Trellis. The Roman Arch is also described as suited to roses.

How wide should the opening be?

Wide enough for the way you use the path. The arbors here run from 42 inches to four feet, so measure and compare.

Can I train morning glories up an arbor?

The Canterbury's latticed side panels are described with morning glories in mind, so it is a natural pick for them.