All about pergolas

A pergola is a garden feature that forms a shaded walkway, passageway, or sitting area. It is made of vertical posts or pillars that usually support cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice, often upon which woody vines are trained. Pergolas are sometimes confused with arbors, and the terms are often used interchangeably. An arbor is generally regarded as a wooden bench seat with a roof, usually enclosed by lattice panels forming a framework for climbing plants. A pergola, on the other hand, is a much larger and more open structure and does not typically include integral seating.

Pergolas date back to the 17th century and have been prominent features of gardens ever since. Construction materials have ranged from wood and stone to more modern materials such as vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, and CPVC. At Graham Landscape & Design, we typically build our pergolas in the Eugene-Springfield area out of wood with cedar and redwood being the top choices.

Like any wooden structure, regular maintenance is advised to extend the life and beauty of a pergola. A natural or colored stain is advised, and reapplication should take place every couple of years.

Typically, pergolas are paired with climbing plants such as grapes, wisteria, bougainvillea, honeysuckle, passion flower, jasmine, and bleeding heart.

If you're considering a pergola for your yard, you'll want to make sure you have a large enough area so that you don't feel claustrophobic. Your yard should have plenty of open space where the pergola can be freestanding or be featured as an extension of your home. Regarding height, you will want a pergola to be in the 10-12 foot height range to allow for plant growth and to have hanging vines.

To learn more if a pergola will work in your space, give us a call at 541-729-8029 and we can explore your options with you. We serve all of the Willamette Valley in Oregon.