XIV The Pleached Alley
Reading edition
The "Pleached Alley," another typical feature of the Elizabethan garden (from the French plessir, to weave), is nothing more nor less than a thickly covered walk. In Shakespeare's time this was constructed of woven boughs and climbing vines and flowers, or a series of arbors. The old prints and pictures show them to be complete tunnels of greenery. We can make a pleached alley to-day by setting up a pergola and smothering it with flowers and vines. Ironwork arches covered with roses, honeysuckle, and other creepers will produce the proper effect. A latticework trellis covered with vines and flowers will, if properly constructed, produce the appearance of a pleached alley.
When the pleached alley is not used to enclose the garden, then a brick wall or, still better, a fine hedge should be planted.