40 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Pergolas. pergola is a charming feature in theg arden, 

 as our illustrations show, shady, cool retreats from the 

 summer sun and made fragrant with the breath or. 

 Poses. In "The Knglish Flower Garden" it is 

 mentioned that adaptations of the Italian pergola are 

 much to be recommended for English gardens, since, 

 though our summer is short, there are a good three 

 months when a bowery, shaded walk would be most 

 enjoyable ; and the numbers of free-growing, climbing 

 plants at our disposal besides Vines, give an abundant 

 choice of material. Aristolochia, Wistaria, Virginian 

 Creeper, rambling Roses, Honeysuckles, Jasmines, and 

 the free Clematises are all suitable, and look well and 

 do well in such a position. The pergolas, like the 

 stately fountains, are to Italy quite appropriate to the 

 country and the climate. They are rarely necessities in 

 our English climate, but simple adaptations would add 

 to the delights of many an English garden. A creeper- 

 clad trellis spanning a frequented walk is a good feature 



be formed of small pieces fixed transversely across. 

 This will make a more firm and massive structure, 

 and the simpler it is kept the better it will look. On 

 no account let the "rustic" carpenter begin to adorn it 

 with his fantastic branches, which he is so fond of doing. 

 Around and over the pergola many interesting and 

 beautiful shrubby and other climbers should entwine, 

 here the Vine, there the fragrant Jasmine, or the Honey- 

 suckles, their sweet breath filling the shaded walk with 

 perfume in the summer. Of course in the winter the 

 pergola will be little sought after, unless in quite the South 

 of England and Ireland. It is a sun-shelter in summer, 

 a grateful retreat amongst flowers, with a vision, too, of 

 the garden beyond. Simplicity in design is essential, 

 and in this country brick pillars are unnecessary, unless, 

 of course, one wishes to create an elaborate feature, but 

 the pergola formed of Oak stems is simpler and prettier. 

 Of late years many charming pergolas have been formed 

 in English gardens, sometimes almost like a covered 



AN ENGLISH PERGOLA. 



in a garden, as it gives a contrast to the open breezy 

 parts, and serves for growing many beautiful hardy 

 climbers which can only be seen at their best when 

 rambling over trees, trellises, or along the tops of walls. 

 It should lead to somewhere, and be over a frequented 

 walk, and should not interrupt any line of view. The 

 breadth, height, and length are points for individual 

 taste to arrange, but if flowering creepers are desired 

 to cover it, it must not be placed under or near the shade 

 of big trees, especially such as the Elm, whose hungry 

 roots would travel a long way to feed upon the good soil 

 that the creepers must be planted in. The form of the 

 structure must also be governed by circumstances and 

 individual tastes. A simple structure is the best. The 

 supports should be Oak tree stems, about 9m. in diameter, 

 with the bark on, let into the ground about 2ft., if on a 

 bed of concrete the better. The posts must be connected 

 and firmly secured to each other by long pieces of similar 

 width, and running along the sides, while the top may 



way leading to the house, or by the margin of the lake. 

 It is well to make the pergola lead somewhere, not a 

 mere addition, as if a summer-house or " rustic " arbour 

 to shelter one from hot sunshine. The creepers should 

 be as varied as possible, and often against a sunny Oak 

 tree stem delicate and beautiful kinds will luxuriate — 

 Clematis coccinea, Lonicera sempervirens, Solanum 

 jasminoides, the Pomegranate, and plants not seen in 

 every garden. It should support, too, sweet-smelling 

 flowers, and a large proportion of the climbers used 

 should possess a delicate fragrance to perfume the walk. 

 When the pergola is built by a walk or lake, an oppor- 

 tunity is provided of planting bright flowers in the 

 grass to add colour to the picture. Plants against 

 pergolas require attention in the winter and spring to 

 prevent undue tangling of growth, as this will, of course, 

 spoil the beauty of everything except the most vigorous 

 kinds. The Japanese and North American Vines may be 

 planted freely, for the sake of their glorious autumn colours. 



