Pergolas

At the start of this project we were presented with a stretch of rather weedy turf and the less tham attractive end wall of a garage block. What was needed was a pergola, which would serve the dual purpose of screening the garage from view as well as providing somewhere shaded to sit. Clicking on the images will give a better view.

Western red cedar was the timber chosen to build the pergola. This very durable, warp-resistant timber is easy to drill and screw and has a very pleasant aroma, somewhat reminiscent of bubblegum. Initially reddish-brown it fades eventually to grey, the colour change being quicker and more obvious in direct sunlight.

Against the wall of the garage the fragrant evergreen climber Trachelospermum jasminoides was planted, with wires to support the twining stems. On the uprights of the pergola there is a wisteria, climbing roses, clematis and honeysuckle. All of which will help to soften the straight lines of the structure, increase the amount of shade and delight with their beauty of flower and fragrance.