Choosing Plants for Arches

Johnny Hunt

Gardening Enthusiast

If you are looking for a way to enhance the look and aesthetics of your garden entrance, we have just the right solution for you. My guide on choosing plants for arches can help you add life to your garden space by helping you choose the perfect plant colors and designs.

With the right plants, you can significantly boost the overall look of your home – giving it more character, color, and shade. Some plants even leave a beautiful lingering fragrance in the atmosphere. So below, we’ve shared a brief, yet, resourceful guide on choosing plants for arches in your garden.

Your Choice of Garden Features

While there are vast ranges of plant options to choose from, you first should figure out the features in your garden to ensure you pick the right choice. After all, different gardens have different features – for example, you may find a garden with concentrated sunny areas or one with thick tree foliage.

However, in addition to these natural features, you also should pay attention to the man-made designs of the garden. In this case, you need to consider the different areas and structures in the garden since you are choosing the best plants for garden arches. Typically, your garden will offer a choice of three design features – i.e. arches, pergola, and arbor.

Arches

An arch refers to the entrance pathway of the garden made of wooden, plastic, or metal materials. Generally, arches will serve as a traditional entryway into a garden or a divider between two sections of one garden. Due to their shapes,  garden arches do best with climbing plants or flowers.  Their rustic design also enhances the look of ornamental flowers or plants such as roses.

Pergola

A pergola on the other end is a rather larger or more extended version of an arch. Typically, this feature extends in length to form a shaded or open/closed lattice-designed walkway into a garden. It is sometimes positioned inside the garden instead of an entryway. When situated inside a garden, a pergola may even act as a shaded barbecue or gathering space. Since you are more likely to spend more time under a pergola than an arch, it is a perfect location for growing fragrant plants to give the air a pleasant aroma – especially during a cool evening.

Arbor

An arbor is more of a sheltered area in the garden. Unlike a pergola, it doesn’t feature a box-like entryway but, rather looks like a more open pool house.

Generally, people prefer to lounge in an arbor when they want peace and tranquility. With the right plants, it’s also a haven for birds as they come to forage for the plants.

The Best Climbing Plants for Garden Features

With the different garden features outlined above, the one characteristic they share in common is that they both comfortably accommodate climbing plants. In addition to choosing climbing plants that are ideal for your garden features, you also want to consider factors such as the seasonal changes when picking the plant species.

For example, you may find the same plant species with different varieties – some evergreen and others deciduous. If you want to enjoy full and vibrant colors throughout the year, you certainly want to go for the evergreen variety. Amongst the best climbing plants for garden features include:

Roses

English rose plants are perhaps the most popular climbing plants for gardens overall. Whilst they enhance the look of any area in your garden, they are most favored as arch plants. Due to their size and showy colors, they are a perfect accompaniment to any garden entrance- and are surely bound to catch the attention of any garden go-er!

Plus, depending on the settings and design of your garden, rose flowers don’t disappoint due to their wide variety of colors and shades. The only color you will miss out on is blue or black – which no one will miss unless you are trying to replicate the “Addams Family” garden during Halloween.

Jasmine

If you want to add that fresh and intoxicatingly fragrant scent to the atmosphere whilst maintaining an elegant instagrammable look in your garden, you can’t go wrong with Jasmine flowering plants. The flowers feature a dominant white finish with small yellow details. Combined with their crisp evergreen leaves, they offer a clean and neat garden look. Whilst jasmine plants are not the best climbing option for arches,  they are perfect for structures such as pergolas and arbors. 

Wisteria

The wisteria plant grows into an exotic, almost out-of-this-world climbing finish. So, to really show off this majestic godly work of art, you want to grow wisteria plants in larger structures such as pergolas, arbors, or even garden walls. The flowering plant produces a beautiful selection of lilac, purple, or white blossoms. Plus, it comes with the perk of a sweet perfumed fragrance during the late spring months of May and June.

Other plants include:

• Honeysuckle – especially the fragrant Graham Thomas variety which works best for arches.
• Sweet peas – to fill up new structures such as arbors and pergolas.
• Clematis – a perfect year-round flowering plant for arbors and pergolas.
• Bourganavillea – for large arbors, pergolas, and walls.
• Passionfruit – for pergolas.

How To Care For Climbing Plants

As plants and trees in other areas of your home,  arch, pergola, and arbor plants require consistent care.  Whilst different plants have dedicated care requirements, you want to know the basic care requirements for just about any plant. Following these key tips helps to maintain health and the best-looking plants.

• Planting climbing plants at least 30 to 45 cm from the structures.
• Checking their planting needs – do they need to be supported by tying them or do they easily self cling?
• If they need tying – use biodegradable ties and fasten them loosely to avoid damaging the plant.
• Consistent pruning to keep them neat and to prevent them from overgrowing.
• Consistent watering throughout their first year.