Gardens Outdoor Fine Woodworking

through each brace and into the beam. The

beams between the posts were secured

further with 3^1 ⁄ 2 -in.-long lag screws, driven

through the horizontal supports and up

into the beam.

The final step was to close off the back

and bottom end of the arbor with trellis-

work. We attached two rows of 8-ft.-long

2x4 horizontal boards to the back of the

posts, 40 in. apart, and fastened each with

two 2^1 ⁄ 2 -in.-long lag screws on each end.

Then we added vertical 1x2 slats to form

the trelliswork.

The arbor was complete—an empty can-

vas to paint with plants. While my husband

Take care of the soil. Amending the soil with compost and organic matter will help climbers

get off to a healthy start.

Design the

interior, too

In the center of the arbor,

we placed a cedar bench

of simple design to blend

in with the structure and

provide a place of repose

among the roses. The

arbor has become one

of our garden’s loveliest

and most appreciated

features.

•    LeT conTaIners

provIde coLor

Flanking the bench, two

terra-cotta pots were

set on brick platforms

and hold long-blooming

annuals for summer-long

interest. From this spot,

we enjoy a cross view

of our garden, softly

framed by the rose- and

vine-clad arbor.

•    Use The beds To

enhance The arbor

The beds beneath the

posts are filled with an

ever-changing array of

bulbs and perennials

as I search for the best

choices to set off

the arbor climbers.

•    everybody

Loves Fragrance

The deliciously scented,

pale yellow ‘graham

Thomas’ honeysuckle

(Lonicera periclymenum

‘graham Thomas’,

Usda hardiness Zones

5–9) twines over the

trellis behind the bench,

pouring its perfume over

the fortunate who pause

here to rest.

and son worked on the arbor, I prepared

beds at the foot of the posts and along the

full length of the arbor’s back. I amended

the soil with as much organic matter as I

could lay my hands on, and dug a deep

hole at the base of each post for a rose. On

the back side of the posts, I dug another

hole for clematis. These two plants would

form the backbone of my composition.□

Frances Wenner has been gardening in the

Kansas City, Mo., area for more than 35 years.

She writes a gardening column for a local

garden bulletin and lectures regularly for several

horticultural organizations.

38 FINE woodworkINg

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