| Pergolas are a shady, garden structure whose | | | | shingles, to create extra coverage. |
| beginnings date back to ancient Egypt, Greece | | | | 5. Create road appeal by placing your pergola |
| and Rome, and were common features in early | | | | over a front porch in place of a standard roof. |
| Renaissance gardens throughout Europe. Their | | | | Paint or stain it the same color as your shutters |
| primary purpose was to provide shade on | | | | or house trim. It won't entirely keep out the rain, |
| walkways, terraces, or pools. The earlier versions | | | | but it will provide a certain amount of shelter, and |
| were often constructed from stone pillars with | | | | create an impressive entrance. |
| wooden cross-beams with a lattice roof. It was | | | | 6. Instead of the standard lattice look on the roof, |
| common to see ivy, grapevines, or other climbing | | | | use strips of bamboo placed side by side. It |
| plants winding around the wood, and filling the | | | | creates additional shade and gives the structure a |
| open spaces between the lattice. Today they are | | | | twig furniture look. |
| often constructed from pressure-treated wood | | | | 7. Your pergola is the perfect place let those |
| or cedar. The many varieties of maintenance-free | | | | showy vines grow wild; creating a thick natural |
| lumber products are also widely used. They give | | | | canopy. Vines that work well include Hops, |
| the look of wood, but never need painting, resist | | | | Wisteria, Jade, Grapes, Morning Glory, Cypress, |
| rot, peeling, and fading, and are available in a | | | | and many varieties of climbing roses. It's also a |
| variety of colors. | | | | great place to grow vegetables such as peas or |
| A pergola makes a striking accent to any | | | | Scarlett Runner Beans. |
| landscaping theme; not only are they | | | | 8. Give your pergola some style by adding |
| eye-catching, but functional as well. Depending on | | | | architectural accents such as a curved top, |
| their size, pergolas often become an extension of | | | | cylindrical wooden column supports, or design a |
| the main home, and may be used for entertaining, | | | | top that flows with the roof lines of your house. |
| dining, or as a getaway or quiet oasis for reading | | | | 9. Dress up the open sides with outdoor fabric |
| or enjoying morning coffee. | | | | curtains, bamboo shades, or a manicured |
| Ideas for Pergolas: | | | | Boxwood hedge. |
| 1. The most common version is a simple post | | | | 10. Use your pergola to create a garden filled with |
| construction with wood cross-pieces or lattice for | | | | your favorite shade-loving plants. You may want |
| the roof, and used to cover a deck or patio. It | | | | to try Hostas, Bleeding Hearts, Yellow Corydalis, |
| can be painted or stained, and accented with | | | | Bigroot Geranium, Monkshood or Lungwort. |
| lighting, plants, and other accessories. | | | | 11. Give your pergola a rustic look by using rough |
| 2. Install your pergola along the entire length of | | | | logs and unstained beams. Weave willow or alder |
| the house, similar to an awning. It can extend out | | | | twigs in the roof and display your twig furniture |
| farther at different points to create interest and | | | | below. |
| seating areas underneath. | | | | 12. A pergola is the perfect place for that hanging |
| 3. Use it to cover a hot tub. | | | | swing, chair or hammock. Add a small table, a cool |
| 4. Place in a random area of the yard to create a | | | | drink, a good book, and you've got the perfect |
| shady spot to escape from the afternoon sun. | | | | recipe for a lazy afternoon. |
| Add a nice little bench, and plant climbing roses or | | | | To learn about celosia argentea and celosia |
| other scented vines nearby. Cover it with tin or | | | | cristata, visit the Celosia Flower website. |