Gardens in Bermuda are usually viewed as areas of beauty with emphasis purely on plants. This may appear a myopic approach to our gardens, but it is the norm; how often do we see garden structures such as pergolas, arches and arbours to name but a few!

The intrinsic value of structures can be borne out by their very function; they can offer shade, a support for growth and from a visual point of view aesthetic to the eye. They can be used in gardens large and small and designed to fit any and all needs.

As we have now moved into the New Year, and have time to think of the garden once again, thought should be directed as to how we can improve the image of our gardens, and create interest where none existed before. Such 'labour intensive work' is also a good exercise to shed the extra pounds obtained over the festive season.

What are arbours, arches and pergolas? As well as making a statement within the confines of the garden each can often fulfil a need and feature prominently in the design of the garden. They are candidates for all climates as they create their own ambience in whatever season.

The arbour is a term most widely used for any climber clad or tree dappled garden structure offering shade and relaxation to those inside the structure. Seats are installed in or around the inner area and tables can also be part of the furnishings, an outside 'room' protected from the sun ? but not rain ? in which to take stock of the garden or simply relax whilst taking afternoon tea, in the 'early days' they were oft placed in discreet parts of the garden for lovers to wander and dally some time.

Arbours have been part and parcel of landscape design from the time of Capability Brown and before, Arbours take many forms, from classically inspired arches to simple designs of rustic poles, seating from one to many persons contingent on the design. Arbours typically are situated with their backs against a wall or fence to increase their sense of privacy and shelter. They can also be located in the middle of a garden and concealed by plants or orientated in such a way as to span a pathway.

Design and construction is open to the imagination even to the point of materials used, original construction was mostly of wood some with stone foundations, and wrought iron has also been used from the simple design to the complex filigree type workings. In to-days society, plastic and other man made products are being used in ever-divergent ways, but not in my opinion for the betterment of the landscape.

Arches by their very nature are simplistic adornments to the landscape, be they in tandem with other features hard or soft in nature or as a stand-alone item they can make a bold statement. Like other garden structures, arches can be made from numerous materials, they can be formal or rustic and located to framework pathways, garden ornaments a pond or whatever. They are used in larger properties as access through a wall usually opening on to a statue bench or other statement. As a frame to a courtyard they define the entrance and exit, thus giving the rest of the area definition by design.

They can simply frame a view or lead one around the garden by following the footpath between arches. A garden arch is a brief rather than an extended structure, a symbolic doorway in the garden, which is always open and welcoming those who wish to pass through.

True arches have straight sides and rounded tops, however shapes can vary according to the designer's wishes, with some having pointed tops or the addition of finials. When two arches are placed back to back and joined by slats, they become a double arch, allowing a sturdier foundation for vines and ramblers.

Pergolas are found in Bermuda gardens, with Par-la-Ville Park coming to mind as an obvious example, when in the summer months it is in constant use by those lunching in the shade and peaceful setting of the park.

Pergolas hail from sun-drenched Italy they were originally designed for growing grapes, but their value was soon realised as perfect for use in formal gardens. Today, pergolas generally consist of two rows of opposing pillars or posts set on each side of a path or walk.

Each pillar or post in the row is connected to the next one by timbers, across which are placed cross members thus joining the two sides. Pillars are usually made of stone or brick whilst posts can be made of wood, with the cross members being of a wooden construction. Pergolas create expectations because of their strong character, with this in mind, they should be located to shelter a walkway that leads from one prominent spot to another, from the house to a pond or adjacent building or perhaps a formal garden or fountain.

They can also be used to separate one garden room from another whilst allowing unimpeded views into each. To ensure that vines can grow in a ready fashion over a pergola, it is important to ensure that the cross members or rafters are centred close enough for vines to ramble freely through them. Where pillars/posts are made of wood in a slatted effect then vines can grow up and through the slats, however, if solid pillars are used it will be necessary to create elements on which vines can grow up, such as a light trellis or string wire.

To be successful with any of these structures, it is important to design them to fit the garden, and then design the structure with maintenance in mind, hopefully to last a lifetime. Keep in mind scale and perspective i.e size of structure to allocated space by drawing the structure to scale, the finished product will then meld into the landscape naturally and not stand out as a 'folly'.