Garden Arch

heavysnow

Excellent - I didn't realize the hazel would be that cheap!

So it looks like the choice is either bamboo or hazel. I found a website that describes how to make a bamboo wedding arch which describes how to soak the bamboo canes for a while and then bend them into an arch shape: http://www.ehow.com/how_4473637_make-bamboo-wedding-arch.html

I don't actually mind if it has a square shape like the example that angela posted. The most important things for me are sturdiness in strong winds, cost, and longevity.

What do you think I should go for?

brownfrog - just seen your post - thankyou! I'm not too sure about the iron arch - the cost is a bit too high for me and I think I would prefer the wooden look of hazel or bamboo.

SEE

heavysnow wrote: »

I was hoping to put up an arch in the garden to create a nice entrance to our patio at the back of the garden (and hopefully grow some sweet peas up it!). Being an avid money-saver, I was looking for a cheap way of doing this. Argos have an offer on a simple metal arch where you can buy one and get one free, but it's the wrong size for me - too narrow - and joining the 2 would look wrong unfortunately.

So, I was thinking about constructing an arch from bamboo canes. Would anyone have any tips for this - is it even possible? It needs to be at least 2m across.

Many thanks!

If you wanted to splash out a little you could try these. I use the small version in my garden for growing beans and peas.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bamboo-Garden-Arch-5cm-dia-Natural-Chinese-Bamboo_W0QQitemZ190304782694QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_Celebrations_Occasions_ET?hash=item190304782694&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1686%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A50

VanyaHargreeves

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/Netting+Trellis/Rose-Garden-Arch/invt/0260859 what about that one?

Lotus-eater

VanyaHargreeves wrote: »

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/Netting+Trellis/Rose-Garden-Arch/invt/0260859 what about that one?

That's the cheap and nasty ones.

angelavdavis

I had some very similar to this - I had a line of them as an arbour. They only lasted two years - it was heartbreaking when a couple of them went at the same time and broke the back of my rose! Definitely to be avoided.