ALL GARDENING ZONE

A pergola is a garden feature forming a shaded walk or passageway of pillars that support cross beams and a sturdy open lattice, upon which woody vines are trained. It may also be part of a building, as protection for an open terrace. Pergolas may extend from a building’s door to an open garden feature such as an isolated terrace or pool, or may be entirely free-standing structures shading a length of walkway.

Pergola design and arbor design are very similar, but if we look at the subtleties, the following distinction can be drawn:

• Garden arbors are simple, relatively small structures; often, they are arched at the top.

• Pergolas, on the other hand are larger and usually more substantial than arbors and can be used to cover a large patio or deck. Posts are located in the corners and at regular intervals to support the roof. The roof is usually parallel beams or lattice structure sitting on perpendicular beams. Unlike an arbor, pergola doesn’t have lattice sides and the plant or vines are trained up the side of the posts and then grow along the top to provide privacy and shade.

But to afford complete shade, plus protection from rain, pergolas must be covered.  Fiberglass is sometimes used as a covering for pergolas.  But just like arbors and trellises, pergolas can also be used as support structures for vines. The vines form a canopy over the pergola, affording shade in summer.