Home & Garden

The arch is a powerful tool for organizing space. It can direct your attention to any point by framing it. It can lure you down a path or send you into a whole other garden room. Arches can also act like blinders on racehorses by forcing the viewer to a central point while ignoring what's on either side. This is valuable when the side views are unattractive features like a neighbor's RV or an ugly garage.

Arched tunnels compel us to move forward. The arch lures us to follow a path through to surprises held beyond. Sometimes these make them linking portals that also define space. For example, a side yard bounded at each end by an archway separates this narrow area into its own space separate from the front and back yards.

Think of the arch as you would transitional spaces in the home, such as the opening from foyer to living room. Arches can also be combined with hedges to act more like doorways, particularly if the arch contains a gate. Line up a series of arches to create a tunnel and you have a hallway.

The most reliable are simple forms composed of two tubular steel arches spaced about a foot apart. These are separated and supported by braces.

This double arch is stronger than even the thickest single arch because the base is wider. Above all, the arch must be well-anchored in a concrete footing to keep it solidly in place.

To get a closer look at what's available in prefab arches for under $125 online, log on to Yardiac at www.yardiac.com. The Arbors and Arches section features a wide variety of traditional rose arches that are sturdy and easy to install. The Gallic, Orleans, Rainbow and Gothic arches are all perfect for freestanding in the garden.

The cooler days of fall, with a slower pace, is the ideal time to install an arch. Once it's in place, you can take advantage of late-season planting so your new vine has all winter to acclimate before it bursts forth in spring. For rose lovers, an arch already in place allows you to plant your favorite variety during spring bare root season.