Roses are a classic choice for arching over a garden gate.
An arched gateway gives the first hint of what lies beyond it. The gateway may be a transition from the outside world to the sanctuary of the garden or a feature within the garden, leading from one outdoor room to the next. Colorful, fragrant flowers or soothing foliage may introduce the particular garden mood that the designer has chosen. Choose plants that complement your theme and will thrive in your locale. Does this Spark an idea?
Roses
"Bantry Bay" is a vigorous floribunda climber.
Roses are often planted so that they use a gateway as their support system. Train the main rose canes horizontally, as flowers form on side shoots. Choose a vigorous rose bush and zigzag the canes up the side supports. A smaller or miniature climber planted at the base of the arch will cover the sides of the support with flowers.
There are many options for roses on an arched gateway. Large-flowered "Eden Rose" blooms in creamy pink. "Zepherine Drouhin" flowers with bright rose-pink, fragrant blossoms on nearly thornless canes. "Jeanne la Joie" is a miniature pink climber. Fragrant, red "Don Juan" or "Blaze" are vigorous red choices; "Graham Thomas" and "Golden Celebration" are golden yellow. Climbing "Rainbows End," a miniature rose with yellow blossoms edged in scarlet, creates a dramatic display when combined with red or yellow climbers.
Clematis
Showy clematis are spectacular in full bloom.
Clematis vines in full bloom display dozens of flowers, some as large as 10 inches across. Late-flowering clematis bloom on the current season's growth and are the easiest to maintain. Prune these vines in late winter or early spring by cutting the entire plant back to 12 to 18 inches.
You can choose clematis to grow through the roses on your archway in complementary or harmonious colors. "Mrs. Cholmondeley" grows to 20 feet high, blooming May through October with large, lavender-blue flowers. "Comtesse de Bouchard," at 8 feet high, flowers July through August with pink, 4- to 6-inch flowers. "Madam Julia Correvon" grows to 12 feet long, sporting wine-red flowers July through September.
Flowering Vines
Fragrant jasmine can cover an arched gateway in low-frost regions.
Fragrant vines create an enticing invitation to enter the gateway and attract bees. Lonicera periclymenum, or woodbine, is a well-behaved, fragrant vine, blooming summer through fall. "Serotina" has purple and yellow flowers. "Scentsation" has pale, lemon custard-colored flowers fading to cream. L. x heckrottii "Pink Lemonade" has two-toned pink flowers with a sweet fragrance spring through frost. "Goldflame" has fragrant, bright coral-pink and yellow flowers. For warmer climates, Jasminum officinale blooms throughout the season with fragrant, pure white flowers. "Aureum" has bright, golden yellow foliage.
Foliage Plants
A foliage-covered archway suggests cool serenity.
For a soothing transition, greenery suggests a sense of serenity. Parthenocissus quinquefolia, or Virginia creeper, is a rampant native plant that the nursery trade has tamed by developing new cultivars. "Star Showers" and "Variegata" have pretty green-and-white variegated foliage. "Englelmanii" has smaller leaves and a more tenacious clinging habit. Virginia creeper has brilliant fall foliage, as well as decorative berries that are poisonous to humans though delightful to birds.
English ivy is suitable in areas where its rampant growth will not invade flower beds. Take care with archways attached to or near your house, because clinging vines may damage wooden siding and eaves on homes. Locate such vines away from ornamental trees as well.
Tags: arched gateway, feet high, flowers July, flowers July through, flowers with, full bloom, golden yellow
