THAT IS GORGEOUS!! I'll give you some ideas, but first, what rose is that and did you use any special technique to train it so perfectly? I miss my large arbor covered in climbing pinkie (lost in Hurricane Katrina).
I think that site definitely begs for a focal point. The rose frames it but there is nothing there. So I definitely think a fountain or garden art would look great there. I can picture like a stone face or even a large colorful bird house. Maybe even some birds would move in. It looks a little dark in there, so you could paint the fence a lighter color, I'm not that good with color, but a beige or tawny color maybe. I could even picture alot of blue in there, but it depends on how loud and jazzy you want to be. Just from the pix it looks like your garden is more elegant, so maybe light neutral tones, or leave the fence as is and just make sure the fountain or plaque is a light color, easy to see. I feel sure you will find the right thing, you already have something so beautiful.
laurie

I have to say that your instincts are right: it could be very easy to go overboard with what you put in there. If you want the rose to take first place, simplicity and subtlety would be key. I would personally avoid a fountain or statue, as it would be very easy for it to seem tacky. (Then again sometimes I do have a penchant for a classical sculpture or bust, but it is very difficult to find any of decent quality).

Consider adding interest by working more with texture or shadow. You garden itself works within a very controlled, articulated colour palette (from what is shown). Perhaps old reclaimed window frames, salvaged door, old picture frames, salvaged gate, fence, or trellis panel. Something that doesn't jump out, but simply adds a layer of depth to the vignette. A mirror may be nice; perhaps an antiqued one which gives a smoky reflection as opposed to a direct one.

- Audric

AHHH, so so beautiful! I hope thats a re bloomer! wow, great job trimming and training.
here is what I would do. I would make ( or have made) A very quaint gate, with interesting hinges, do a color wash in contrasting color to the rose color.

Then hang it on the fence so is LOOKS like you can go through the arbor and pass through this magic gate. Maybe even put a stone step or flagstone if that appropriate under the arch to complete the illusion.

If you do an image search on garden gates you'll get a ton of ideas.

Have fun with it!

deb

Ahhh... garden illusions! I was looking into installing one mainly as an excercise in design. I wonder how many others have successfully completed an illusion.

See link below for examples of how mirrors could be used for your situation. The link is to a supplier in the UK. Unfortunately I can't find a North American supplier. For the mirrors to work though, I believe they have to be at an angle (to avoid a head on reflection of the viewer), to reflect something interesting, and view around the mirror blocked to channelize the eye to the focal point of the mirror illusion.

Here is a link that might be useful: garden mirror pictures

Great ideas, everyone. Thank you! Laurie, so sorry to hear you experienced Katrina. Hope things are better for you now and that someday soon you can grow a new Pinkie (such a great rose.) That is Crepuscule on the arch and I took each cane down, pruned laterals, removed old leaves and repositioned canes after. Very difficult and I'm thinking of just blitzing her next time!

Audric, thanks for those suggestions, especially the smoky mirror! I hadn't considered a 3d scultpture so much as a wall fountain-like backdrop. What do you think? Deb and Isabella love the gate and mirror suggestions. Will check out those possibilities. But the link to the garden mirror pictures didn't work. Could you possibly repost it please? Thank you in advance.

See re-posted link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: garden mirrors

what about one of those GIGANTIC 'Mother Mary' sculptures?
just kidding:) now that would be tacky... i definitely agree that your best move would be to find a rustic, cottage-style, salvaged door/gate, and just prop it up against your existing fence. one of the main functions of an arbor is to serve as a transition point, allowing you to travel through it. right now your existing fence is acting as a 'road block' or 'dead end' to that transition. i can't tell from your photo what's located at the base of your arbor, but if you have sufficient, clear space there, you could also add a rustic-looking, red bench underneath the arbor. i think a bench would work WITH the arbor to grab people's eyes and lure them in to sit down underneath the arbor and enjoy the roses:)

i put together a quick photoshop mockup using your photo and a sample door behind the arbor. it looks cute:)

Here is a link that might be useful:

Nothing against your photoshop talents, but there's a line, when crossed, takes away from the rose and arch. The rose is the star here and anything else merely a supporting cast member.

Trompe l'oeil of something as simple as an arrangement of garden tools?

My tastes run the gamut from classical architectural fragments to the verdigris sun faces depending on application. Maybe an overlay of a section of real wrought iron work; something to search for at architectural salvage or antique shops - and not at TJ Maxx or online home decor sites.

You have a lot of proposals already, so another one probably won't hurt... cover the fence with a vine called aristolochia macrophylla (this has large green leaves) and then, if you like, a small mirror at face height, partially hidden in the vines.

I wonder if you could attach some wrought iron hinges and latch directly to the fence to make it look like a gate, then add a small framed mirror to look like a window in the 'gate'?

Thanks, Everyone!
Bobby, what a riot! I think I will definitely use Photoshop to help me visualize options I'm considering. Thanks for that. Sadly, the space around the arbor is too small for a bench. Just wish I had more room...

duluthinbloom, I love trompe l'oeil but I'm afraid I would botch it. Salvage or antique shops are definitely where I will go if I decide to include architectural elements. I started looking online and found some great panels, fragments etc. but so far the ones I like best are crazy expensive.

Timbu, I love your idea. Thank you! When I first planned my garden my intention was to cover every inch of that eyesore fence with vines. And every area is planted with climbing vines or roses EXCEPT under the arbor! :~(
I looked up Dutchman's Pipe and it requires some sun which it would not get under the arbor but maybe another shade tolerant, smallish vine would work. The small mirror is a great idea within that vine.

Catkim, great idea too. I could try that at not too much expense or inconvenience and see if it works ( or use Photoshop... :~) I like how understated but effective this could be. Then the color of the fence would be the only issue left to tackle.

"the color of the fence would be the only issue left to tackle": leave it au naturel unless you love to spend your time painting fences. The hinges and latch would signal it's a gate -- how often do you see a gate painted a different color from the fence? Personally, I think color would mess it up, unless you are talented at painting trompe l'oeil.

You're welcome :)
I have a somewhat similar fence myself, and I'm troubled by its inability to form a solid background. Sandy soil combined with dog activity makes growing something on it quite a challenge. Have planted parthenocissus... well, it's alive, at least.

I'd be tempted to just plant a clinging vine such as Boston Ivy or Creeping Fig on the fence to give a nice green backdrop. Although both would need some pruning to keep them in bounds once mature, they can both fairly easily be kept very flat against the fence, and add visual punch to the rose on the arch. The more yellow/apple green foliage and bronze new foliage of the Boston Ivy would be particularly nice color contrast, although it is deciduous in winter. However, it is so fast growing that it would give you immediate impact within a year's time. Creeping Fig is slower, but probably more easily controlled.

Or you consider a flowering evergreen vine such as Clytostoma callistegioides, which could be planted against remesh(the 5' by 7' gridded welded wire mesh) that is used for sidewalk reinforcing, and would allow the vine to more easily be trained against the fence, and disappears visually against darker wood. This vine is fast, and the pale lavender would look good with the rose and the deeper purple flowers in your photo.