10 Ways to Improve Your Garden with a Pergola

The difference between a good garden and a great garden? A pergola. Here are 10 ways the simple structure can vastly improve your outdoor living experience.

The pergola is understated by nature, an empty frame to accent or support. It doesn’t look like much on its own, but a garden without a pergola is like a room without a rug: something is missing but you can’t quite put your finger on what. Take a backyard (Above) designed by Grounded Gardens in Melbourne, Australia, where a thin iron pergola frames an outdoor dining area of pale slate.

Here are the 10 Ways to Improve Your Garden with a Pergola by Gardenista

1. Create Architectural Interest in a Flat Landscape
2. Add Shade Coverage During Summer Months
3. Train Fragrant Vines to Grow Overhead
4. Grow Productive Fruit or Vegetables
5. Weave Fabric Through a Pergola
6. Hang Outdoor Lights on an Open Pergola
7. String up a Hammock
8. Blur the Boundary Between Indoors and Out
9. Add Shade to a Balcony or Rooftop Garden
10. Create Filtered Lightscapes in the Garden

Read more on gardenista.com

HOME TIPS: More people investing in outdoor spaces

According to Stunkel outdoor spaces bring the family together and create a space for teens to hang out, where you can keep an eye on them. He recommends encompassing a few areas in your space, an area for dining, an area for lounging, a fire feature (fireplace or fire pit) and a space for outdoor cooking. You can also consider adding a small water feature for relaxation.

Read more on weau.com

Image from gardenista.com