Want to create a unique setting on your site, but don’t know how to do it? Use the pergola. A special canopy, migrated to us from southern countries, has amazing charm and attractiveness. Lightweight construction in combination with ampelous and climbing plants will create an indescribable atmosphere in your garden. We learn how to use pergola in landscape design. With your own hands you will do it or with the help of professionals, it does not matter: there is nothing complicated in its construction.
What is a pergola?
If you use a literal translation from Latin, then this concept means a certain type of extension or canopy. At the present stage, pergolas in landscape design are considered as structures consisting of several repeating arched sections, which are interconnected by bars. It can be a separate structure or part of a building that covers an open terrace. When making pergolas, climbing plants are actively used . It is not surprising, because her very idea originated in the southern countries, and the main function was to maintain the vines.
Pergola in landscape design: properties and purposes
This design is designed to perform various functions, it all depends on what exactly you want to achieve on your site. Quite often, pergola is used for zoning. For example, in order to separate the garden from the decorative territory with flower beds, artificial ponds, a gazebo, etc. The second popular option is to use a pergola to obscure the paths leading from the house to the garden or utility block.
You can also use a light canopy for children's playgrounds in the open air, playgrounds for summer holidays. Want to create a romantic atmosphere on the site? This pergola will help you too. Twined with ivy, flowering vines or vines, it only emphasizes and reveals their beauty, creating fabulous landscapes right in your yard.
Pergolas in landscape design: types
- Awning. This species reflects its original meaning - a canopy. How it will perform the function depends on your wishes: for a playground, a car or as an alternative to a gazebo. There is only one drawback - the pergola will not save you from rain, it will only create shelter from the hot sun.
- Screen. Based on the name, it becomes clear that such a design is designed to provide privacy and closed from prying eyes. The best place to build is next to the fence. The landscape pergola is also used for zoning the plot. For example, the separation of the garden from the sports ground.
- Visor. The idea of this design is completely saturated with the color of the southern countries, where in almost every house the southern windows are shaded with its help.
- Tunnel. A complex structure involving a certain number of arches connected by a common rail. As a rule, such a pergola is placed along garden paths. It can be purely decorative or cover something (farm buildings, a garden).
A few basic rules from professionals
It is important to remember and understand that the pergola in the landscape design of your site should look harmonious and fit into the general ensemble, including the house and other buildings. You should not mix styles and put a bright design in the spirit of high-tech on a simple village site. Try to follow the basic principles when installing the pergola:
- the main rule is the ease of construction, it does not matter what materials will be used, free access to scattered light and only the necessary degree of shading, and not a tightly enclosed space , are assumed;
- Correctly correlate the sizes of your plot and pergola, otherwise it may look bulky, which will lose any charm or be lost and become inconspicuous
- Pergolas in landscape design go side by side with landscaping, but in winter it will be absent and all the flaws will become apparent; take the decorative qualities of the building seriously, and then it will delight you throughout the year;
- the strength of the building is also important, plants, for all their fragility, have a significant mass;
- carefully choose a place for installation, it is recommended to take into account the wind rose;
- if your choice fell on a tree as a material for creating a pergola, then remember that it will have to be regularly treated with special solutions of an antiseptic; However, for metal structures this is also necessary in order to avoid corrosion.
Pergola plants
Much depends on the right choice of a green carpet that will cover the structure. Choose plant species (climbing and ampelous) that will not make the pergola too heavy. They should create a light veil on its surface from leaves and fragrant flowers. We mention only some plants: clematis, climbing roses, wisteria, bougainvillea, morning glory, sweet peas, campsis, dichondra, nasturtium, etc.
Light and weightless pergolas in landscape design have long become classics. Their construction will not require global cash or time costs, but aesthetic pleasure will be priceless.