Gazebos

Published by: Elizabeth Gormley
Published on: 2010-01-10 15:26:13

For those of you with a green thumb, the idea of a garden gazebo in your Connecticut home may be especially appealing. If you spend a lot of time sowing, cultivating, and harvesting, wouldn't it be a pleasure to sit inside a gazebo enclosure, surrounded by the growths to which you lovingly tend? Fresh veggies, fragrant spices, and bright flowers— there may be no better place in the yard to entertain, or relax on your own.

Probably the most popular style for a garden gazebo is the Victorian. It is the classic gazebo shape, an eight-sided floor with lattice walls and posts holding up the peaked, closed ceiling. You might think about installing climbing vines such as ivy or wisteria along the lattice walls for added quaintness and privacy. A variety on the Victorian gazebo is a square style. With this shape, there is an option to install in the corner of your garden for optimal space.

Open roof gazebos are for the garden dwellers that enjoy basking in the sun, or stargazing on summer nights. Lattice walls are often used on this style as well. Again, consider wall growths for a cozy feel or if privacy is a concern. Some open roof gazebos are designed to block the sun with cathedral-like rafter construction, or a trellis-like sloping roof.

A garden gazebo should be made out of wood—a natural material in a natural setting. Red cedar, pine, and bamboo are most popular. Especially in the garden, bugs and moisture can cause rapid decay on any wood that is not properly treated. Seal and stain regularly to prevent cracking and eroding. Stick to earth tones with your garden gazebo. For paint, consider a calming brown or green that will meld gently with the surroundings. A gentle blue would be perfect if you live near a lake or the ocean.

If your garden is small, stick with a small gazebo. You don't want the gazebo to overwhelm the area; you want it to be an accent sanctuary. It shouldn't take up more than one-quarter of the garden, and it shouldn't be so tall that it overshadows. If you want a big gazebo, consider planting more seeds and expanding your garden.

Benches, a hammock, even planter boxes lining the lattice walls. Make the garden gazebo a place you will want to spend time. The investment will cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, the least expensive option a little gazebo that is meant only for decoration. The more elaborate, the more the cost rises. But it is a worthwhile investment for those of us who want to spend more time in the garden, but completely leisure. Paint whimsical stencils, or keep it solid and handsome. All day you can enjoy your garden gazebo, from the morning coffee and newspaper, to an evening glass of wine beneath the stars.

For a gazebo contractor in Connecticut, browse our directory and contact us today!

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