Best plants for a garden arch
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Saturday, 18 May 2019 at 2:18 pm
Check out some of our favourite plants to grow up and over garden arches.
Save
- Share on facebook
- Share on twitter
- Share on pinterest
- Share on whatsapp
- Share on blogger
- Email to a friend
Adorned with plants, arches can help create a sense of journey and transition, from one area to another. This is especially useful if you want to divide your garden into 'rooms', for example a patio area leading to a veg patch or herb garden.
Ad
What the the arch is formed from is largely up to you. It could be a simple metal or wooden arch or a more ornate stone arch. Some plants can even be trained or pruned to form an arch, with little to no support needed.
Consider also that as you'll be passing through the arch, it's a great chance to show off plants with pendulous flowers and fruits – wisteria, grapevines and trained laburnums are ideal for this.
Check out the best plants for garden arches, below.
Schisandra rubriflora
Also called the Chinese magnolia vine, Schisandra rubriflora is a hardy, deciduous vine, with intense red spring flowers. Best grown in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. For white flowers, try growing Schisandra grandiflora or Schisandra chinensis, which enjoy similar growing conditions.
Small, intense red flowers of Chinese magnolia vine
Apple trees
With the right pruning and training, some fruit trees, like apples, can be grown to form an arch. If you plan to do this, start with a large, sturdy arch, ideally metal, that will last for some years. As for the trees, start with bare-root maidens that are still pliable.
An apple tree covered in pale-pink blossom
Canary creeper
Annual climbers – or perennials treated as such – like canary creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum), come with the bonus that you can try different combinations each year. Check out these climbing plant combinations for more ideas.
Bright-yellow flowers and lobed leaves of canary creeper
Clematis
Lots of clematis can be grown over garden arches. For large flowers, go for a Group 2 clematis such as 'Niobe' or 'Vyvyan Pennell'. For shade, take a look at Clematis alpina and Clematis montana. Keep them healthy with these expert clematis care tips.
Purple flowers of Clematis viticella 'Galore'
Jasmine
Grow jasmines like Trachelospermum asiaticum, Trachelospermum jasminoides and Jasminum officinale up an arch to enjoy their delicious perfume as you pass by. Watch this video for advice on planting jasmine.
White jasmine flowers
Climbing beans
As well as providing fresh veg, many climbing beans will impress with their jewel-like ornamental flowers. French beans have pale purple-pink flowers, while those of runner beans (pictured) are usually a spicy red.
Runner beans with red flowers growing across canes
Hornbeam
Hornbeam is a good example of a plant that can be grown to form an arch. The arch could be cut into a hedge, or you could train young beech trees to form a free-standing arch. Other plants you could do this with include yew, hazel and beech.
A trained hornbeam tree
Climbing and rambling roses
Climbing and rambling roses produce naturally arching growth, so they're perfectly suited to growing over an arch. Discover more advice on growing them in our grow guides for climbing roses and rambling roses.
Masses of pink blooms on rambling rose 'Super Fairy'
Wisteria
Wisteria is a lovely option for growing up a garden arch. In spring and summer, the scented, pendent blooms will hang over the archway, complemented by the lush foliage. The wisteria pictured has finished flowering and has been combined with Clematis viticella 'Kermesina' to prolong the colour.
Wisteria foliage and magenta clematis flowers adorning an arch
Ivy
There are lots of reasons to choose ivy for growing up a garden arch. It thrives in shade, is fast-growing, evergreen and benefits wildlife. Here are some of the ivy cultivars you could grow.
Ad
Ivy growing around a beautiful dry stone arch
Sweet peas
Scented climbers like sweet peas are especially good if you have a arch near seating areas. Plus, being an annual, you can try growing different plants in subsequent years. Find out how to sow sweet peas in spring or autumn.
Mauve sweet pea flowers
Loading...
Ad
Ad
Don't miss out this Winter
Enjoy expert advice on what to plant and grow this winter, and how to prepare your plot for the year ahead. Enjoy, 6 months for just £31.99
Great gardening savings - straight to your inbox
Sign up to the BBC Gardeners’ World offers newsletter for exclusive deals, seasonal savings, and early access to special promotions.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...
Loading...