Warren8- I think you would have made the Lady's Garden Club very proud! Your pergola truly looks like it would have been original to your home...and the double stairway is something that also would have been seen in homes of those days. Great craftsmanship! I think a climbing rose would be the perfect compliment to this entry way. You might even add a small painted wooden oval plaque with "Dedicated to the Lady's Garden Club" and edged in painted roses as a small ornament on or near it...just an added touch to tie into the history of the house. Thanks for sharing this with us.. Woodsy

I think I spotted a few willow screens at Loblaws. But you probably would be more successful if you visit garden centres. Hydrangeas will work in dark areas but I'm not sure how it will work in a mucky and clay soil. However it is the ideal plant for dark corners. Whatever plant you choose, you need to condition that soil to provide good drainage Also choose mature plants so that it can reach whatever sunlight that's available. Vines that require regrowth from the ground each year, will not work. If the top area is sunlit, you can probably install a mature wisteria.

Caroline, That is what my DHM was supposed to build over our patio...three years ago. He didn't know how to build one and wouldn't let me tell him, so it never got done...er completed. I would build it myself if I had the strength to lift the boards. You did a fine job. Now hold that nailgun on my DHM and make him build me one! It is breathtaking! I am very happy for you. Can't wait to see photos of the rest. ~Annie

Your deck gives the appearance of floating, not necessarily a bad thing, but looks like one could easily fall off it if you moved a chair out too far, etc. I think it need a perimeter of some sort around the sides at least. You could buy or have custom made an arbor ( horizontal) , many available to buy also, for at least one side of it. It would camouflage the view to your neighbors ‘ house. You could also place trough planters, also many available online and in better nurseries, planted with vertical growing shrubs or plants appropriate for your climate. I wouldn’t clutter it up with many small things, I’d limit it to larger containers or troughs.