Arbors, trellis, obelisks, screens…these are all great ways to add vertical interest to the garden, combining function with art. What starts out as a plant support becomes a beautiful focal point like the arbor in the first image (below). I’ve gathered a bunch of images from garden tours to give you ideas for your garden.
Vertical structures also help define different areas of the garden, providing both shade and privacy. If privacy is what you want, there’s a bunch more ideas here.
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Arbors, Trellis, Obelisks, and More
Here you’ll see supports for climbers, seating areas, bold artistic structures, rustic arbors, and more. While adding one of these items can transform your garden, don’t forget that removing an old one is equally as transformative, also providing a fresh start.
If you want to build a structure, check your local library for plans. There’s lots of classic books like these arbor plans on Amazon.
1. Arbor in rose garden
2. Defining a patio
This garden is has a bold, contemporary look I love. It’s all about the incredible structure surrounding the patio area and the use of black stain on the wood including the surrounding garden fence.
Need trellis for climbing fruit and veggie vines? Here’s an idea.
3. Seating area with trellis roof
If you compare this seating area to the previous garden, you can see how influential the choice of paint and stain colours are. This one stained black would have an entirely different vibe.
Want to make a chain link fence private? See this post for a variety of ideas.
4. Seating area with roof amongst pine trees
5. Hot tub area
6. Outdoor dining area
7. Rustic log arbor
The clematis is slowly making its way up this arbor. If you would like a really simple way to understand clematis care, see this easy guide.
8. Rose arbor with walkway
9. Arbor with garden gate
10. Arbor with trellis sides
11. Rose garden arbor with bench
Yes, the scent in this rose garrden is just as lovely as you’d expect!
12. Simple arbor in perennial garden
13. White arbor with seating area
14. Trellis-walled outdoor garden room
This structure to eventually be entirely covered in vines, creating a nice, cool place to sit on a hot day.
15. Support for overhead climbing vines
This type of structure is a great idea if you want more privacy in your back garden but don’t wish to have a tall fence or wait for trees to grow.
16. Rustic fence rail arbor with climbing clematis
17. Japanese-inspired teahouse seating area
This entire garden was designed to mimic classic Japanese gardens, or as much as you can do this in Canada. Lots of green, with a few white flowers, stones, small fountains with running water, and places to sit like this teahouse-inspired area.
18. Classic white arched garden arbor
See more like this one on Amazon.com.
19. Basic white garden arbor with picket fence
20. Rustic fence rail arbor with metal trellis sides
21. Simple curved arbor with clematis
22. Large grid privacy screen with climbing roses
23. Garden obelisk – 4 sided
24. Garden obelisks in wooden planters
24. Garden obelisk with pointy top
25. Rustic fence rail trellis
I included this one just for the whimsy. I like it when gardeners just do what they can with what they have.
26. Old wooden ladder
This is the simplest way to add vertical interest to a garden – old wooden ladders. This one sat in my garden for years and gradually the tendrils of the clematis took hold and it was covered in beautiful flowers.
27. DIY Strawberry Arbor
This DIY strawberry arbor is a smart way to add vertical growing space to your garden. You can add any container plants including flowers, strawberries, salad greens, herbs, or tomatoes!
See more photos of the strawberry arbor here.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
Vertical Gardening Idea Gallery
Dear Fellow Ontarin,
Great site, really enjoy what you share,
cheers, Linda
So many gorgeous arbours! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Anne. 🙂
These are wonderful pictures as I try to get ideas for a structure to shade (but only slightly) my garden troughs filled with succulents. I will check out all the site.
Thanks, Kim. Troughs of succulents sounds very nice.