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