Pergolas are the perfect support structure for climbing plants – creating a stunning garden feature with beautiful blooms and lush green foliage.
Many of the options will grow happily in containers, so regardless of where your pergola is positioned, it's possible to cultivate a coverage of flowers and greenery. It's possible to go for a combination of these climbers, and even opt for choices that will give you successional displays throughout the different seasons.
In a surprisingly short time, you will start to see your structure soften, as plants clamber up their edges. Some may eventually reach the full height of the structure to be trained across the pergola roof, for a shaded canopy of scented florals, adding ambience, shade, as well as greater privacy.
8 climbing plants for pergolas
In order to reach their full potential, most flowering climbers require a good amount of sun. So position these plants for full sun at the south-facing corners of your pergola. There are also good evergreen shade plants which will work for low-light gardens.
"This is a stand-out choice for pergola climbing plants due to its natural ability to climb with little added support. Climbing clematis can reach 3m high so can reach the full height of a pergola or gazebo. They also thrive in both sunny and partly shaded areas which make them a versatile choice," says plant expert at Hedges Direct, Jamie Shipley.
"Clematis armandii 'Snowdrift at Sarah Raven' is one of my favourites thanks to its sweetly scented, cream-coloured petals. It’s a variety that’s truly hard to beat with stunning star-shaped flowers that bloom from April to May when positioned in full sun," says plantswoman Sarah Raven.
"Finally, you can try Clematis alpina 'Frances Rivis'. This is a spring-flowering clematis that will cloak an entire area with ease. The vivid purple blooms and rich cream staminodes create a wonderful contrast that suits so many gardens. It’s easy to care for, requiring a simple tidy-up after flowering in mid to late spring," says Sarah Raven.
Sarah Raven
Sarah’s love of gardening extends to all areas, from growing cut flowers and delicious vegetables from seed, to designing stunning gardens packed full of variety, colour and scent. Always with a focus on helping the environment and biodiversity, Sarah’s gardens are havens for birds, bees and other pollinators.
2. Star Jasmine
(Image credit: Peter Lane / Alamy Stock Photo)
Star Jasmine or Trachelospermum Jasminoides, is an evergreen climber which produces hundreds of white scented-flowers in summer.
"Plant centres supply this plant from one to over three metres high on canes which will grow quickly in just a season. Feed your plant in spring and resist cutting it back until the end of the season," says Resident garden expert at TrexPro Karl Harrison.
"I really love this style of planting to cover a pergola or fence, they look beautiful and smell amazing,” says Karl.
It will grow to an ultimate height of 8-12 metres making it ideal for tall structures such as pergolas.
If you aren't already familiar with the scent of star jasmine, prepare yourself to fall in love. This option currently has a whopping £30 saving.
3. Morning Glory
(Image credit: WILDLIFE GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo)
If you're looking for incredibly fast growers which will give you blooms the same year that they're planted then this is an unbeatable choice.
"There aren’t many better options for climbing plants than the prolific flowering Ipomoea purpurea 'Grandpa Ott' at Sarah Raven also known as Morning Glory. Its striking purple flowers bloom happily throughout the summer and early autumn, which is also brilliant for concealing garden fences. It’s easy to grow in most soils when positioned in a light location and watered frequently," says Sarah Raven.
4. Climbing roses
(Image credit: Mark Bolton)
Roses like sunlight where they will bloom happily if given a good supporting structure to cling to.
“Roses can add a romantic feel to a garden, with their elegant, fragrance-laden blooms. If you choose a variety that produces rosehips, your garden will become a haven for birds too," says Jamie Shipley.
It’s important to stay on top of pruning when it comes to climbing roses. The heavy flowers and vigorous growth can lead to the shrub becoming too top-heavy for some weaker structures like a cheap fence," says Jamie.
Jamie Shipley
Jamie Shipley is currently a Managing Director at Hedges Direct Ltd - a position he has held since 2018 - and has a robust skill and extensive knowledge of the Horticulture and Landscaping industries.
Honeysuckle is another great choice for a pergola. "Not only is it beautiful but the trumpet-shaped blooms will fill your space with a sweet fragrance in the summer and will attract pollinators - like bees and butterflies - to your space, making your garden a wildlife haven," says Jamie Shipley.
"If you choose an evergreen species you might not get as many flowers but you will be treated to a cover of foliage all year if that is your main aim. Honeysuckle can thrive in a variety of soil types and likes full sun or partial shade conditions, making it a great choice for a low-maintenance garden," says Jamie.
"I recommend putting up some coated gardening wire and guiding the honeysuckle stems to these with ties. When you’re pruning it, bear in mind that it’s a popular choice for nesting birds. Remember to check for anything that looks like it could be a home for our feathered friends during nesting season and If you do find any signs of nesting, try to leave that plant and other surrounding plants undisturbed," says Jamie.
(Image credit: Meindert van der Haven / Getty Images)
Wisteria is one of the most visually sought-after plants for pergolas the world over. But aside from their delicate beauty, they have a carrying scent which will transform a pergola-covered seating area into a fragrant sensory garden seating area.
"Wisteria is a vigorous climbing plant that produces fragrant white or lilac flowers in late spring. It requires regular pruning and training to keep it flowering well and under control, and you will usually need to wait for three to four years after planting before you see flowers," says Graham Smith MCIhort, a gardening expert from LBS Horticulture
Plants grow best in full sun, so plant near the south or west-facing side of your pergola. It's capable of growing in light shade, but this will reduce the amount of flowers that it produces.
"You should aim to prune wisteria twice a year for a good display of flowers, but young wisteria should be left unpruned until it has covered the pergola or structure it's growing against," says Graham.
Graham Smith MCIhort is a horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture. He has extensive knowledge in the horticultural and gardening industries, and prides himself on using this to help gardeners of all skills create their perfect outdoor space.
7. Passion flowers
(Image credit: Future)
"These are climbing plants, so need the vertical space and support to thrive. Passion flowers love the sun, so need to be planted in an area of your garden that receives full sun throughout the day. The level of sun can impact the blooms of your flower," says Andrew.
"They are climbing plants, so need the vertical space and support to thrive. Passion flowers love the sun, so need to be planted in an area of your garden that receives full sun throughout the day. The level of sun can impact the blooms of your flower," says Andrew.
"They're relatively easy plants to grow, requiring little preparation prior to planting. They can be grown directly in the ground and in pots. Once planted, they require little maintenance, only regularly watering once a week, or whenever the soil begins to dry out," says Andrew.
8. Grapevines
(Image credit: Yuliia Bilousova / Getty Images)
For a truly authentic Mediterranean garden experience, you can beat a classic grapevine. There are several varieties of grape which will cover a pergola, producing fruit as well as beautiful autumn colour.
Not all varieties will be edible but the dangling bunches of grapes will provide a pleasant dappled shade.
FAQs
What is the fastest growing vine for a pergola?
Cup-and-saucer vine (Cobaea scandens): Produces large purple flowers and grows to 3-5m high.
Akebia quinata: A beautiful, speedy-growing climber is also known as the chocolate vine for its chocolate-scented blooms in spring.
Ivy: Great for shaded perogolas. Ivy will attract wildlife such as blackbirds and bees, which love the flowers and berries.
Trumpet vine: The orange trumpet shaped flowers of this woody deciduous climber appear in late summer until autumn. They are self clinging and will reach heights up to 12m.
Russian vine or ‘Mile a Minute’: This plant can reach up to 4m within a year. With
masses of trumpet-shaped blooms, it provides great summer cover for a pergola.
If these climbing plants have inspired you to want to bring even more growing interest into your garden, have a look at our patio planting ideas.
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Teresa was part of a team that launched Easy Gardens in 2018 and worked as the Editor on this magazine. She has extensive experience writing and editing content on gardens and landscaping on brands such as Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors and Living Etc magazine. She has developed close working relationships with top landscape architects and leading industry experts, and has been exposed to an array of rich content and expertise.
In 2020 Teresa bought her first home. She and her partner worked alongside architects and builders to transform the downstairs area of her two bedroom Victorian house in north London into a usable space for her family. Along the way she learned the stresses, woes and joys of home renovation, and is now looking to her next project, landscaping the back garden.
