Landscaping Around a Gazebo: Create the Perfect Setting

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Landscaping Around a Gazebo: Create the Perfect Setting

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Landscaping around a gazebo is not difficult; but does require some thought. This beautiful little gazebo hideaway is perfectly complemented by it's landscaping. Note the use of pavers in the lawn to create a 'secret' path to the woods on the right. Now that you’ve chosen the perfect gazebo to complement your home and landscape you want to further enhance the gazebo’s beauty and charm with plants.

Let’s start with what you’d like to accomplish with your gazebo landscaping. Would you like to enjoy flowering beauty? Create a living “green” shelter? Some people plant climbing roses, clematis, or ivies and vines near the gazebo and allow them to cover the structure. Kept neatly pruned, this can be a beautiful embellishment. Of course I am speaking about permanently installed structures and not a portable gazebo! Landscaping around a gazebo that’s portable could include locating an arbor nearby to support climbing flowers and vines, creating shade and a spectacular focal point. An arbor could also be a lovely entry to a permanent gazebo. Think about whether you may want a decorative walkway leading to your gazebo from your lawn.

Good Landscaping around a Gazebo Considers Usage, Privacy and Shade Needs

Would you like more shade, and/or privacy? Consider selecting dense bushes or small- to mid-size decorative trees to complement your gazebo. Forsythia, viburnum, or arborvitae bushes can be used to create interest and a lovely living screen. Being a Southerner, I’m partial to decorative trees such as dogwood and crepe myrtle. I have an established stand of fountain grass that is a fabulous screen. Consult a good landscape gardening store or nursery for suggestions on what plant material is appropriate for your climate and needs; and additional ideas for landscaping around a gazebo. Planting trees with vast spreading root systems near a gazebo, such as oak, may not be a good idea as they may disturb its site foundations.

Landscaping around a gazebo also take into account the gazebo’s usage. How do you plan to use the gazebo? Remember that if you’ll use it for dining, some flowers may attract insects which, while otherwise beneficial, you may not want to invite to dinner. Screened gazebos shouldn’t have a problem here.

Installing raised garden beds around the gazebo, or strategically placing decorative planter urns can add extra space for flowers and other plants. Portable gazebos can benefit from planters and planter benches, which will provide extra seating. While landscaping around a gazebo, consider planting perennials, plants that come back year after year, to save annual spring planting efforts. Again, the staff at reputable nurseries are trained to offer suggestions for your yard and garden.

Don’t forget the accessory furnishings in your landscape plan! Chaise lounges, a garden fountain, a chimenea or fire pit, perhaps a decorative birdfeeder or birdbath can add to the charm of your gazebo landscape and lawn. Lamps or torches, rope lighting, solar or LED lights can be used to great visual effect at night. Truth is, landscaping around a gazebo is limited only by your budget and your imagination.

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