Garden Bridges

	Many landscapes are home to creeks, streams, garden ponds and pools. Bridges are not only practical solutions to cross these water elements, but they serve as attractive features in themselves. Even if you landscape is dry, you may want a bridge to span a small valley between two mounds or to provide access from one section of decking to another. Whatever your need, there are spectacular styles of bridges that range from very simple to quite elaborate. The following article discusses some popular bridges that today’s gardeners and landscapers employ.

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Garden Bridges

The gardens of Europe did not feature bridges until midway through the 1800s. Bridges were required for small lakes and backyard ponds. These might be made from stone, brick or wood. As all things Chinese came into vogue by the end of the century, even Chinese style bridges cropped up in English gardens. Depending on the style of your garden—formal or rustic—a bridge adapted to suit its style could be employed.

American bridges are known for their practicality—not their ornamentation. Long arching bridges made from cedar logs were popular in the 19th century, but small footbridges in quaint Victorian styles could also be found. Many parts of the country are well-known for their covered bridges which may be too elaborate a style for many gardens, but could certainly be constructed.

Oriental gardens feature bridges to get from one point to another, but as a prime point from which to view and admire the landscape. The most widely used Chinese bridge, called the camel-back, was first used in Imperial gardens. Generally constructed from brick or stone, this style employs a semi-circular opening beneath its base—once used to let pleasure boats slip through. For most of today’s gardens, a smaller version is used to span ponds. Other Chinese designs may be simple wood bridges with ornately carved sides, bridges that zigzag a space and arched bridges that feature a roof—not a covered bridge, but one that will protect visitors from a drizzle.

Traditional Japanese bridges initially borrowed from the Chinese camel-back design, but they also incorporated latticework balustrades and carved trestles. Often these bridges were painted red or orange and coated with lacquer. Their beauty is unmistakable. Some such bridges featured a pavilion midway across the bridge for a comfortable viewing area that might even have space for a few chairs and small table. Less formal bridges might were more natural and made from stone or unpainted wood. Zigzag bridges are very common in Japan as is decking that zigzags as well.

Today’s gardeners have all of these styles and more to choose from. Once you’ve marked the spot for a bridge, decide on the material to build it from—usually wood or stone. The type of material may impact your design ideas. Then, will your bridge run straight across, zigzag or arch? Decide how wide it should be and whether you will use it for true function or merely for a garden ornament. All these things bear on the design. There are further decorative considerations such as railing style and whether there will be carved posts and balustrades. It all depends on the gardener’s individual style. Consider natural decoration—moss-covered stone and built in planters for a colorful display of flowers. Check other gardens to see how other locals employ bridges styles. There are patterns that can be used, or design one yourself.