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.
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We've all done it... spending time pondering the "I wonder what it would look like if..." question when it comes to our landscapes. Probably even have a handful of sketches laying around, too, right? We all do this and it's just a part of who we are. At Graham Landscape & Design, we celebrate DIY, but, when it comes to putting dreams into action, our belief is you really need someone who can work with your ideas, or bring ideas of their own to the table, and who also has a deep understanding of the local area, horticulture, soil biology, engineering, art, etc. It really takes all of these disciples and then some to pull together a winning design.
With this in mind, here are 3 reasons why a landscape designer is important for making a project successful. 1. Site Analysis If you think about it, every piece of land is unique both in its own qualities but also in how it relates to the larger ecosystem. You can't take a cookie-cutter approach from what you read in a magazine and expect success. A professional landscape designer will have the skill to understand the big picture and how one choice affects another, in addition to being able to define the elements in smaller areas of focus. In other words, a landscape designer can help you make the most of your landscape in a way that works for your terrain and in a way that also complements the surrounding area. 2. Construction Planning While a lot of ideas can be translated from paper to reality, not all ideas are actually buildable or sustainable. Working with a landscape designer will help ensure your ideas not only have the ability to be built but also to be sustained. He or she will know how to specify the plans such that the construction crew can order the correct types and quantities of supplies. Furthermore, landscape designers often have access to a much greater library of materials and vendors to work with. This translates into more creativity and potential savings vs. shopping at the big box gardening/home improvement store. 3. Contractor Liaison We've all seen it happen... You had a vision and then when it came time for implementation, something went wrong in translation and the end result did not match up with expectations. Having a landscape designer in your corner who can act as a liaison between you and the contractors is HUGE in preventing this sort of disappointment. Landscape designers are fluent in contractor language and will work on your behalf to make sure the design is executed as specified so you get exactly what you are expecting. At Graham Landscape & Design, we provide these services as well as project management. We are a true "design & build" firm which means we both design and construct landscapes. Not only does this save our customers money overall, it provides a seamless experience between concept and reality. Have some ideas swirling around in your head? Contact our design team and let us create a landscape you can enjoy for years to come. 541-729-8029 |
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