[Boomer]

I am stuck in Cincinnati, but at least the sun is shining today. I am looking out the window and making plans.

I would like to find a high quality metal arch to go over the sidewalk entrance to the patio. The arch would be next to a short section of privacy fence that has autumn clematis climbing on it, and that's the plant I would use on the arch, too. Autumn clematis is fast and tough. I have had it on the fence for two years. It climbed the fence and bloomed beautifully its first year and did great the next year, too. And it does not mind being mostly ignored. Not like some of those clematis from my past who always whined if I did not keep their feet in shade and their heads in sun.

So anyway, that's the plan. An arch covered with a vine that covers itself with little white flowers just as summer is starting to get a little long in the tooth.

But the problem is that I cannot find a source for a good metal arch that will last for a long time. I used to subscribe to "Fine Gardening" which had ads for suppliers that were good ones, but I don't subscribe anymore.

So if anybody knows of a good source to find the arch of my dreams, one that will not have to be replaced every year or two, please let me know. My patio is rather small and I am going after a kind of beer garden look. I was going to say biergarten but do not know for sure how to spell it.

Bavarian Boomer (ancestrally speaking that is)