Building a rose arch - instructions, materials and planting

You can visually enhance your garden with a rose arch. We will show you how you can use different materials to build your own rose arch.

Roses should not be missing in the ornamental garden. They delight us with their blooms all summer long and not only make the hearts of romantics beat faster. The queen of flowers is available in numerous different colors and varieties as well as in different growth forms. Higher-growing varieties are particularly expressive on a rose arch. Rose arches are available in wood or metal in numerous designs in garden centers. You will have much more fun with a self-made rose arch. We will now tell you how to build a rose arch yourself and which variations are possible.

Where to put the rose arch?

You love roses, are romantic and have your own garden? Then you can easily fulfill your wish for a rose arch. Before you start with the actual construction, you should clarify the location question.

Your garden has already been laid out and planted? Then there is sure to be a declared favorite place where you like to hang out and maybe have set up a seating area. Also under trees or near the garden pond is an ideal place for your new rose arch. You can also span a garden path with one or more rose arches and create a romantic pergola.

If the garden is to be laid out first, you have a lot of work ahead of you. It will take some time before it grows lush and blooms there. By setting up rose arches, you can quickly create eye-catchers and distract from the perhaps still somewhat poor beds. Rose arches can give structure to the garden and help to make it easier to organize later.

» Tip: Green rose arches with ivy and other fast-growing climbing plants, then unfinished gardens appear well structured and less drab.

Wooden rose arches

Wooden rose arches are the ultimate classic. Wood is easy to work with and by choosing different woods you can create a varied picture with several rose arches. From romanticeverything is possible, from playful to straightforward and functional.

Even less experienced craftsmen can dare to build a rose arch. They create a simple frame construction, which is screwed and fitted with metal brackets. If you build two frames and connect them together, your new rose arch can even stand on its own and thus be used flexibly in the garden.

Building a wooden rose arch - step by step

You need:

four posts
two crossbars
five bars
four supports

Work steps for the basic framework

❶ Concrete the joist hangers
❷ Mill the groove in the side parts (e.g. with a wall chaser)
❸ Mill the groove in the crossbars
❹ Cut the transom to size
❺ Transom with groove provided
❻ Place posts in joist hangers
❼ Place ledgers on crossbars
❽ Attach support for the crossbars

First select the location for the rose arch. There, the joist shoes are concreted into the ground at the beginning. Measure the distances carefully so that the posts then fit exactly. The concrete needs some time to dry. Meanwhile, you can construct the basic framework.

The four posts, which will later be embedded in the floor, are first given a groove so that the crossbars can be attached later. The groove must be milled in the width of the crossbars. The crossbars are also given a corresponding groove. Be sure to add a bevel at the end of the battens at a 45 degree angle. The bars, which are now cut to size and provided with a groove, also have the same bevel.

Now it is helpful to get a second person to help you. A crossbar is screwed into each of the two posts. The posts are then placed in the joist hangers. Have your helper hold the posts straight while you attach the posts to the joist hangers with screws.

» Tip: Use non-rusting wood screws.

Now the side parts should be stable. You can then place the bars on the crossbars. Now is the last opportunity to align the construction and make any adjustments. Finally, the bars are screwed to the crossbars. To give the rose arch more stability, add a support for the crossbars. The support should have a length of about 30 centimeters and be inclined at an angle of 45 degreessawed off. You attach the support to the uprights and crossbars with screws.

» Tip: If you have not used stable and weather-resistant wood, it is important to treat the individual parts with an appropriate wood preservative before assembly.

Material for the trellis

eight strips about 160 centimeters
twelve strips 50 centimeters
twelve strips 40 centimeters

Build trellis

First, the strips are brought to the specified dimensions. Here, too, the wood should be provided with wood protection in advance, unless it is a special, robust hardwood, which in turn is more difficult to work with. Then screw the individual slats together and additionally leaf them to gain more stability.

Now lay the strips flat on the floor. Make sure that the long sides are facing down and the leaves are on top. Now the crossbars are connected to the longitudinal bars. Use non-rusting wood screws and weatherproof wood glue for this.

Once you have installed the trellis, allow some time for the wood glue to dry properly. Finally, the trellises are inserted into the side parts of the rose arch.

» Tip: Mount the trellis a little higher. At ground level, the wood is deteriorating and the plants aren't getting enough air.

The trellises are attached to the side parts, at the top and bottom as well as in the middle, with the help of metal brackets and non-rusting wood screws. Your rose arch is now fully assembled and can be planted.

Metal Rose Arch

In addition to the classic wooden arch, rose arches made of metal are also an option. These are more durable than the wooden bow and here, too, the variety of models and options is large.

You can fall back on inexpensive and simple options and bend the iron yourself or have it shaped by a specialist. The metal rods are anchored in the ground. As already described, you can create a climbing aid with a wire mesh or you can stretch individual wires at equal intervals along the side parts. Tubular steel profiles create a stable connection between the side parts.

Simple metal pillars only cost a few euros. If you create a connection between two irons, a simple rose arch has already been created. Romantic hearts will beat faster when looking at the artfully crafted and stable rose archeswith elaborate decorations. These can be purchased as complete kits and all you then need to do is final assembly.

If you want to try your hand at building a metal rose arch, watch the video below to see how this project can be made.

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Rose arch made of bamboo sticks and logs

There are, of course, a number of possible variations. You can also get a very simple version of a rose arch if you use round wood, bamboo sticks or stable and straight branches. You also need four posts here, which are connected with shorter pieces of wood or branches. Use either wood screws or metal brackets for attachment. With cross braces you create stability. Make the trellis from thinner bamboo sticks and attach it to the side parts.

» Tip: This variant works very well near the pond, where bamboo may already be growing.

Rose arch: wood and wire meet

You are not a skilled craftsman and the rose arch should perhaps represent your first own construction? Then this simple variant will surely appeal to you. First of all, four stable posts are required here as well. Cut this to the desired length and impregnate it, unless it is weather-resistant wood. Anchor the posts securely in the ground using concrete anchors and attach a crossbar to each of the two posts on the long sides for additional stabilization.

You don't create a connection between the two side parts with a wooden trellis, but with a wire mesh. Cut the wire mesh to fit and attach to the side panels. This creates a climbing aid for the roses and at the same time gives the rose arch stability.

Stability is important

No matter which rose arch appeals to you the most, anchoring the construction in the ground is important, because after all, the good piece shouldn't literally fly around your ears in the next storm.

The simplest and most stable option is to insert joist hangers in the floor as already described. The rose arch is screwed to it and gets a stable and secure hold.

Other decorative ideas of attachment

Planter boxes as a border of the rose arch. thePosts are attached to the planters. The plant boxes provide a pretty underplanting for the climbing roses on the trellis.

One mobile option is embedding the posts in concrete planters. If you mobilize a few helpers, the rose arch can then also be moved in the garden. If you pay attention to an appropriate height, the tub can also be planted and it is also an attractive eye-catcher here.

You can save on concreting if you set up gabions around the rose arch, anchor the posts in them and fill the gabions with stones. This creates a decorative finish and at the same time a kind of wall, which is particularly attractive if you want to create a demarcation from the seating area with the rose arch.

Rose arches for professionals

Classic rose arches seem too simple to you? Then feel free to let off steam creatively. This does not only apply to the wooden rose arch. Of course, if you have the tools necessary for working iron and you dare to forge, there is nothing to stop you from constructing romantic and playful rose arches out of metal.

It doesn't have to stay with the simple rose arch. With a little skill, rose arches made of wood can be widened into a kind of arbor. This creates comfortable seating and you can enjoy the summer under a sea of blooming roses.

Plant rose arches

Finally, the rose arch is finished. Of course you can be proud of your work. But only with the right planting is the rose arch complete and a real adornment for your garden.

Climbing roses are of course the first choice for the self-made rose arch. You can choose from a wide range of colors and types. But a whole range of other plants are also suitable for beautifully designed rose arches. Try out the following variants: