Pergola

From Gardening Wiki

The pergola is a garden structure of Italian origin. In that land of brilliant sunshine shade is a matter of very great importance, and hence the Italians conceived the very pretty idea of erecting a framework of wood and masonry over garden paths, whereon to grow the lusty vine and other creepers, to afford a shady retreat on summer days. The idea found its way to this country, and to-day there is hardly a large garden of importance that does not contain a costly and elaborately coilstructed pergola, with brick or stone pillars supporting a massive framework, as in his Majesty's garden at Sandringham, for instance, down to the villa garden with its substantial framework of larch or oak, and the small garden with its slender framework of poles or of bamboo.

Pergola Construction Materials

Undoubtedly oak, with its bark removed and dressed with carbolineum, is the best material wherewith to construct a pergola. Sweet chestnut comes next in order of durability. Larch lasts fairly well, but does not equal the two woods just named.

It is not necessary that it should be elaborately constructed. Of course, those who have the means and the inclination to erect an elaborate pergola may do so if they wish. In this case, the skill of the architect must be called into requisition to furnish a design in stone or brick and wood comfortable to the architecture of the place. But for ordinary purposes there is no need to consult an architect. Any intelligent carpenter would construct a substantial one of squared pitch pine or oak.

A good type of pergola, however, and one easily constructed. This was constructed by a reader of " Amateur Gardening," and we cannot do better than reproduce his remarks describing how he erected it. He says:

When I entered into possession of my garden I had to deal with a rectangular piece of vacant ground about 30 yards in length by 20 yards in width. A good hedge of Myrobellan plum bounds it on the north side, and grass paths form the other boundaries. The grass walks, although in bad condition, were too valuable to be disturbed, and I divided the ground into four equal parts by gravel paths.

At the junction of the paths, eight substantial larch poles were placed, one at each of the corners of the intersecting paths, and a light openwork roof of smaller poles erected, capped by a simple finial.

The pergola poles are of oak and birch, but I would recommend the former if easily procured. Stripped of their bark and dressed with carbolineum, oak posts are long lasting. Smaller rods form the interlacing roof of the pergola and the sides. My gardener placed the uprights in position, and a rough sketch and a little personal supervision sufficed to direct a very capable handy-man who undertook the erection of the superstructure.

"The height of the poles in the pergola is 7ft. 6in., and they are set 6ft. Gin. apart; the poles of the bower are about a foot higher, and the cap of the openwork roof is 12ft. 6in. from the ground. The upright poles in the bower are about 3in., the pergola poles rather less than 3in., and the cross rods from 1 in. to 2in. in diameter.

The bower is now well covered with roses, Carmine Pillar, Trier, Bennett's Seedling, Leuchstern, Dorothy Perkins, Madame Berard, Aglaia, and Philadelphia Rambler. Aglaia this year has made too much wood and not enough blossom to be satisfactory. Hiawatha, Blush Rambler, Queen Alexandra, Lady Gay, Mrs. F. W. Flight, Clematis montana, Dutch honeysuckle, wisteria these are in every way pleasing, but I have substituted rambling roses for clematis, vines, and blackberries.

A pergola should be good enough to satisfy all ordinary requirements, and will last for very many years. After all, it is not so much the design of a pergola that is to form the chief feature in the garden beautiful as the creepers and pergola roses that are to be grown upon it; and, so long as it looks fairly artistic, and is strong and durable, these are the only points that have to be considered.

Positioning a Pergola

The question next arises as to a suitable position for a pergola. Undoubtedly the best site is that leading from one part of a garden to another, or over a straight path leading down the centre of a lawn. It should, of course, never be placed where it spoils the general view of the garden, nor over a curved path. A pergola must be straight, not winding about, and its outlet should lead to some pretty feature in the garden.

see Pergola roses and Garden features