David Burns, creator and builder of Copper Gardens in California, has always had a fascination with entries, from the humble door of a potting shed to the grand entrance of a cathedral. “Entries give you a clue to what lies beyond, how important the next view will be,” he says. So it’s no surprise that he ended up, after a first career as a building contractor, making garden gates. His are copper, a material he chose because he likes the green of its verdigris (rust) and because of the ease with which it can be formed.
Burns’ gates are designed after nature. A double driveway gate, for instance, in the shape of a mangrove tree, with the opening going up the tree trunk to the canopy, where it separates asymmetrically. A very popular design involves vines and leaves, combined to make the gate look like a live bush. Other favorite shapes are willows and wisterias, but almost any organic theme can be adapted to fit into a particular setting or create a unique sense of place.
Burns’ gates are not always on a grand scale. He has made some that serve as entries to tiny courtyards, or small openings from one garden space to another. No matter how modest, a gate makes a very personal statement.
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Copper gates can be made to resemble vines, adding charm to your garden.
