Pergola - This pergola is absolutely beautiful. We are thinking of adding something like this to our entryway. Does this pergola provide complete shade from rain and sun? If so, can you give me some information on how it was designed? Thanks. »
Cynthia Karegeannes, Registered Architect It looks like there is some sort of "roof" sloping from house to the gutter that is very evident in the photo. Low slope roofing can be used to disguise a roof within a pergola, but needs to be well designed and detailed as well as built by a qualified contractor. Utilizing vinyl or PVC products for the beams as well as a permacast column would provide a no rot or minimal rot solution.... There are some great products on the market now that are also able to be structural.
It is also definitely possible to play with the combination of blue and pink together outside in a garden. Get flower seeds in various shades of each and have at it!
Another neat thing about tipi trellis designs is that they don't look out of place before the plants have a chance to grow. And they can be moved around the yard.
Mind the bulbs. Spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils put on quite a show, but once they're done it's important to remove their spent flowers to help preserve energy for next year's bloom. Simply cut each finished flower stalk at the base. Don't be tempted to cut down the foliage, however. The plant will naturally die back over the coming months and will slowly reclaim the nutrients in the foliage to store in the underground bulb. Once the foliage is withered and brown, you can rake it away.
Front porch pergola with curved supports and gutter, light gray stucco, dark gray/black shingle roof, tulips, tasteful ornamentation in pergola beam termination