Garden Gates

By J. A. Young

Gateways and specially designed gates offer landscapes and gardens the opportunity to make a great first impression when greeting visitors to the property.  English, Italian, Oriental and American designers have all placed their design stamp on the truly functional gate, and today's landscapers and gardeners have a wide variety of styles to choose from.  The following article provides an overview of distinctive gate styles and how they may be employed in today's gardens.

Most of the time, the style of your garden fence or wall will dictate the style of your gates.  This doesn't always happen and, in any case, the gate is a special feature in and of itself.  For example, a stone wall will not boast a stone gate, though an elaborate stone configuration may be worked into the gateway.  Of the many styles that will be discussed, the gateway and gate should ideally reflect the overall style of the garden and give a good first impression to those set to enter the garden.

Most of today's homes are not castle-like in appearance, but the English style gate has its origins in medieval castles whose imposing entranceways lent an overpowering and grand impression on those who entered.  Tudor-style homes still boast remnants of these gates and gateways in a more understated way.  Usually the gateway is sided with large stone pillars.  As a decorative touch, basins or perhaps gargoyles would be built in these pillars that might even sport an arch or be topped with ornamental statues.  The gate itself might be better described as garden doors made of heavy English oak.

Naturally, there are all kinds of versions of this traditional gateway today.  Not every gardener wishes his entryway to be so fortress-looking, but in the right circumstances, it still has its place today.  More modern takes on the English gateway might be to use glazed brick instead of stone or to use narrow stone flanks decorated with very simple stonework that might take the shape of a flower or wreath.  Furthermore, not all gateways use gates.  Often garden walls are constructed well within the property to divide sections of the garden.  A simple brick gateway with an arch might lead from the formal garden to the kitchen herbal garden for example.

As for the gate itself, few gardeners wish to have heavy wooded doors installed.  Wonderfully ornate and decorative gates are made of wrought iron, and the design possibilities for these are many.  Frequently, there are two gates that latch in the middle of the gateway.  These gates go well with stone or brick walls and could be employed in a grand style at the front of the home and perhaps a less showy design for the garden entrance.  Again, the gate design should compliment the style of the house.

Another take on English gates are lych gates that are derived from the roofed gates used in many medieval gardens.  Lych gates have large overhanging eaves and at one time were only used at entrances to churchyards.  Today they can be found on semi-formal estates and even suburban gardens.

Italian gateways - especially gateways to courtyard gardens - are often showy with wrought iron gates in intricate designs.  These gates may be flanked by painted or stucco-applied pillars beset with urns or ornate statuettes.  Such gates and gateways are often found in large manor houses or villas. 

American gates and gateways are greatly influenced by English styles but take a simpler design approach and are usually found reduced in size and scale.  Because of today's variations of homes, all sorts of styles influenced by the Tudor, Victorian and English countryside can be found.  Of course, the rustic, frontier style gate is also used today.  From log, ranch-style gates to simple wooden picket fence gates all have their place in the American landscape. 

Wooden gates are natural in appearance and equally functional.  There are all sorts of design possibilities with wood.  Lattice gates provide some privacy and also make great supports for your climbing plants and vines.  A white picket fence gate is a charming entrance to a country or cottage style garden and can also sport some ivy for a pleasant effect.

Finally, Oriental gates may also me made of metal in very simple designs but are usually made of bamboo.  Bamboo gates are designed with many styles from simple grid panels to elegant bamboo fretworks.  Such gates are perfect for Chinese or Japanese-style gardens as they blend into the overall garden's design concept.  No matter what the design or style, the gate and gateway is the entrance to your domain and it should add to the style of your surroundings, not detract from them.

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