| Nothing adds form and functionality more attractively | | | | including a Japanese bridge, along with Japanese |
| than wooden garden bridges placed strategically | | | | water plants and other ornamental plants can result in |
| outdoor landscape appeal. This "hardscape" item can | | | | a beautiful, tranquil outdoor retreat with the right choice |
| add dramatic interest to water gardens; serve as a | | | | of plant material and other hardscape décor |
| practical (and lovely!) access across ponds, ditches, or | | | | items. Good plants to use for this purpose would |
| other low areas; or simply be placed as an | | | | include Japanese boxwood, aralias, horsetail reed, |
| eye-catching focal point to highlight any area of a yard. | | | | water lilies for the pond, monkey grass (as a |
| Material, Sizes, and Options | | | | groundcover), and for a spectacular specimen tree, |
| Less expensive wooden garden bridges come made | | | | Japanese maple. |
| most commonly from pressure-treated pine. If you're | | | | Online Sources |
| willing to pay the price, however, you can also get | | | | Many online Web-site retailers offer wooden garden |
| these pretty footbridges made from such | | | | bridges. A quick, online search with the appropriate |
| weather-resistant woods as teak, cedar, or redwood. | | | | keywords results in hundreds of selections - all you |
| The most popular sizes include lengths of four, six, and | | | | need do is select which one offers the best price and |
| eight feet, but many online, as well as brick-and-mortar | | | | quality. When purchasing online, always make sure you |
| companies, that manufacture them also offer | | | | are buying from a secure site, however, and check to |
| custom-built bridges to satisfy any specified length the | | | | see if the site offers testimonials. Asking for |
| homeowner requests and is willing to pay for. | | | | references from previous customers is another, |
| Most companies that offer wooden garden bridges or | | | | perhaps even better, method of screening potential |
| footbridges also offer optional railings on their creations. | | | | retailers to get the best deal at the best price AND to |
| This extra feature may add some to the cost, but it | | | | know you're getting your bridge from a reputable |
| also provides a safer way to cross the bridge, | | | | company. |
| especially if the surface of the wood becomes | | | | So whether you're in the market for wooden garden |
| slippery from rain, snow, or ice. If you do not anticipate | | | | bridges as an impressive focal highlight in your |
| the need to ever cross your garden bridge under | | | | backyard retreat or if you'll be using yours as a |
| these circumstances, then, of course, railings are not | | | | needed way to cross over a pond or ditch, you won't |
| necessary. And some people prefer the cleaner lines | | | | have any trouble find just what you need. Just take |
| of the bridge, alone, without the railings, which do add a | | | | some time to check out what's available, from whom, |
| degree of cumbersomeness to beauty of the bridge. | | | | and at what price. All the information you need is just a |
| Complementary Plantings | | | | mouse click away. |
| Wooden garden bridges are often sold as "Japanese" | | | | Visit and read about fish pond maintenance and solar |
| bridges because of the origin and popularity of the | | | | powered pond pumps. |
| style in that country. Creating a water garden feature | | | | |