How to Choose Iron Arbors for Your Garden
When choosing an iron arbor for your garden, it helps to remember your arbor will be one of the main focal points in your garden. In general, arbors are latticework shelters that provide shade and a place for crawling plants and vines to grow. Iron arbors can be made from any type of metal, but you will find that most iron arbors are constructed of wrought iron. Keep in mind that iron arbors are very heavy and are usually attached to slabs of concrete placed in the ground. Once you choose your iron arbor, you will not want to change your mind because the iron arbor will be hard to remove or reposition. Overall, the design and type of iron arbor you choose will depend on your garden space, your design needs and the overall look of your garden.
Iron Arbor Designs
When choosing the design of your iron arbor, you will need to take into consideration the look and style of your garden. Traditional gardens with lots of flowering plants, walkways and benches will work well with complex iron arbor designs. Iron arbors with complex designs have intricate swirling and lace patterns that work well in elegant garden spaces. Keep in mind that more intricate design patterns will be more expensive. You can also have your iron arbor custom designed or built to meet your needs, however, this can cost your thousands of dollars or more. For a more economical and simple look, you can use an iron arbor with a square or utilitarian design. An arbor with a simple design works well in gardens with trees and perennial bushes. If you plan on decorating your arbor with crawling vines, then you can choose a simple iron arbor design.
Your Garden Layout
As you choose the best iron arbor for your garden, you will want to take into consideration the layout of your garden. You can use the arbor to create a dramatic entrance to your garden. Choose a tall, arching iron arbor to create a dramatic gateway into your garden space. You can also use your arbor to create shade over a small seating area or bench. If you are choosing to use your arbor to create shade, then you will need to determine the crawling plants you will use on your iron arbor. Some crawling plants may require a more intricate design on which to grow, while other plants may grow with little or no latticework. Before choosing an iron arbor for your space, take into consideration it’s positioning in your garden, the crawling plants you will use and the purpose it will serve.
Maintenance
The amount of maintenance you are willing to undertake will pay a large role in the type of iron arbor you choose. An iron arbor with intricate latticework and little or no plant coverage will require the highest amount of maintenance. Keep in mind you will need to cover your iron arbor with rust proofing. If your arbor is not covered in plants, it will need to be repainted each season.
