Arbour in full bloom
Posted: January 13th, 2008 | Author: John Zerning | Filed under: Arbour | Tags: arbour in bloom, icosahedron, St. George’s Fields | No Comments »
Arbour in the form of half an icosahedron plus two tetrahedra. (The icosahedron and the tetrahedron are two of the five Platonic solids).
The trellis of this arbour has the form of half an icosahedron plus two tetrahedra. (The icosahedron is the basis of Fuller’s geodesic domes).
The rose festooned arbour has a long history. Many years ago someone planted ‘New Dawn’ next to the boundary wall of St. George’s Fields, near Marble Arch, just opposite Hyde Park.
Gradually this vigorous climber grew up the wall and along the ground forming a tangled mass. In order to save and rejuvenate this old rose, I designed the trellis in the form of a modified geodesic dome, made from 17 equal length struts.
First, the tangled rose was lifted and held up by means of a few T-shaped wooden poles.
Next, the trellis was erected piece by piece under the raised rose. Once fully assembled the props were removed.
The massive climber dropped perfectly over the trellis and covered it completely. The rose responded magnificently to its raised support and flowered profusely.
To extend the flowering season an evergreen clematis armandii was planted and trained over the rose. It quickly spread over the arbour and up the wall of the neighbouring house. In full bloom the sight is spectacular. It was most gratifying to see that neglected climbing rose transformed into a garden treasure!
The assembled arbour. The minimal space frame is very stable, yet it touches the ground lightly.
The space frame trellis is doing its work, whilst being invisible!
To photograph this sight one had to be very quick.