I've found them at a local gift/antique/what-not store. The owner has arbors, trellises, fence sections and tower-type things, too...all made in Mexico out of iron (or steel?). They seem very sturdy and even if I knew how to work with metal, I don't believe I could buy the material in my arbor for less than what I paid.

I've also seen some decent looking things (probably imported from Mexico) at a local ornamental & architectural concrete business.

It isn't I with the pretty iron work.

Before I retired, Wanda-the-Iron-Lady as she was known, used to bring a trailer load of metal items and pottery that she bought in Mexico, stored in her warehouse in Panama City and brought to towns all along the Gulf Coast. I bought a steel trellis and a fancy gate from her, for cheap. She also sold to nurseries in town, who tripled the prices they paid her.

Most of my arbors and structures are made of found wood, like heart pine (light'ard) and native juniper (eastern red cedar). I cobble them together myself.

I aspire to a pretty swing or arbor from the places in town that have wood arbors and things, made by local craftsmen, if I ever settle on just what it is I want. My garden is too informal for a lutyens bench or chinese chippendale. I'm no longer agile enough to get gracefully in and out of a deep Adirondack chair.

Nell

Faye: I too have spent a lot of time trying to find arbors and trellis that are great looking and don't cost an arm and a leg. I was going to try Montgomery...but I guess not !! I will warn you about all the great looking ones on the web. I checked every one of the retail places on the web against Dave's Garden Watchdog site and he hasn't got one vendor that is reputable. They all have really poor ratings from buyers. I guess we need a handy man to help us...any ideas ?? Caroline

Our obelisk in bronze came from Plow and Hearth -- on sale, online. I've included the link, but we bought last year and they aren't on sale right now. It's totally covered by a crossvine, so it's not even distinguishable as anything now! It was so inexpensive compared to anything else we found and very sturdy.

The metal arbor at our family patio came from Restoration Hardware during a closeout sale so it was more than 50% off (around $200), online. I don't think they even carry arbors anymore. We must have bought the last one because we ordered bronze and black was all they had. We took it as we couldn't find anything else for less than $600.

The white wood pergola over the garden gate in the gable came from Walpole Woodworkers, online. That one hurt the purse a little, but it was a requirement by the architectural review board in our neighborhood -- an architect was the chairman and he had OPINIONS, shall we say! However, it's great quality.

The garden gate came from Pacific Gateworks, online custom order to fit. They are wonderful to work with -- send you sketches and quotes. It's just top of the line. Worth every penny and it came with the hardware (gate latch, hinges). We were also required to have a gate and we wanted one, too.

The bronze aluminum fence is Jerith. Lifetime warranty. Our landscaper friend installed it. Our covenants required either "pasture wood fence" or wrought iron with stone corners and the ARB let us use the aluminum.

Cameron

Here is a link that might be useful: obelisk

HI Faye, I know exactly what you mean! When I first started to realize I needed structures in the garden, all I found was junk. I'm lucky though, I live in a rural area and have many garden shops with in minutes from my house. I have the high end shops and 4 Home Depots within 20 minutes drive. I read gardening books and magazines like crazy and found an arbor I liked and luckily for me my husband Charley, (who can build anything) built me my arbor! But I do know what you mean about what there is available out there. There must be a handyman that can build what you want out there! One thing I did is tear out pictures of arbors and put them in a notebook. After I compiled all the pics I went through them and decided on the one I wanted Charley to build for me. I will have you link on my garden page. Here is also the names of a couple of companies that I found pretty nice things. One is Trellis Structures www.trellisstructures.com and the other is Brattle Works, unfortunately I don't have the web address. Also what kind of material do you want? I have wood and metal arbors, depends on the area. Hope this helps, kathee

Here is a link that might be useful: pinkrosechateau garden

Faye,
My arbor came from Lowes and the obelisks was given to me by a friend who didn't care for it.

The free standing gate at the entrance to the street bed was an accident. I bought the rod iron piece and had planned to hang it on the garage wall. My house has vinyl siding and I decided hanging it on the garage was a bad idea because of rust stains. DH and I bought 2 pressure treated wooden posts and painted them black and also purchased hinges and latch and managed to put the thing together. I love it.

Cameron has beautiful things and Kathee's things are enchanting. SHe must be the master of the garage sale finds.

I've seen great yard items made from rebar. I'm always looking for things I can use in the yard when I'm out and about. You might check out the garden junk forum...they do amazing things with junk, lol.
Good luck, Vikki

Jackson and Perkins (the rose company) also carries a nice selection and of course, they are happy to ship to you. This time of year, they are dicounted so that helps alot with the pricing.

I have several obelisks...tho not as pretty as some here or I have seen, but still nice and definately functional.

A set of three came from Big lots for 29.99 five years or more ago. Black heavy iron..tho a very simple design...still look as good as when I bought them. I have clemetis on two of them and the third largest one is where I grow my cukes each year. Still look like new..

The other is a five foot or so..copper one exactly like what Cameron posted the link to but copper, I think those were stainless maybe? Anyway this one is copper and I got it at Costco about three or four years ago...I can't recall exactly what I paid but around thirty or so dollars I think?

Thanks for all the replies. I am not real picky about the material. I like both wood and metal. Both Plow & Hearth and Jackson Perkins have pretty ones. I will put these on my wish list for Christmas.

Thanks again. Ya'll are the best when it comes to sharing knowledge.

I bought a green metal arbor at Big Lots a couple of weeks ago on sale because it was the end of the season - for $18.

It looks very similar to this one but the sides are filled in more with curly cue designs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Green Metal Arbor

I bought this one from Big Lots for around $125 "ish". the gate abd side fences were included. I got it back in April.

{{gwi:741001}}

If you go to better home and gardens.com www.bhg.com then in the search field type in arbors or trellis it brings up a nice selection of them that you can build yourself!! I've printed off more then a plan or 2 from there!!

Here is a link that might be useful: better homes link

I also have the Obelisk from Plow and Hearth. It is now covered with a blooming cypress Vine and they also sell and arbor that I bought and it is up snce June and looking very nice. They were both bought back at Christmas time but of course we kept them until the summer to put up and assemble.

Here is a link that might be useful: Plow and Hearth Arbor

Michelle, LOVE your copper obelisk! Really nice work. I'll take three. :-)

I love it too Michelle. I will take two :)

Groghunter, I saw that arbor in P&H's catalog today. Is it pretty sturdy?

Michelle, impressive obelisk!

I've been ordering from Northstar Wrought Iron for a long time - great obelisks and pillars, and great quality for the money. All of their products are powder-coated, retaining their new appearance. This year, I ordered some of their pot rings and love them! Great for hanging on fences - adds height interest.

Check 'em out www.northstarwroughtiron.com

Natal______ The arbor has been up since June and it seems sturdy to me. I don't think I would try putting Wisteria on it but other than that it seems fine. It wasn't hard to put together either.
Joann

You are too funny. I have more copper bought to make an arbor, but don't find the time. Maybe this winter ;o)

You can buy garden trellis at many places. I bought mine from a country living store on the internet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wrought Iron Trellis

Two days ago I bought a black arbor with double gate for $90 at Big Lots.