THE BEST CLIMBING PLANTS FOR PERGOLAS

Nothing quite says outdoor luxury like a pergola. Standalone or affixed to an existing structure, the versatility of a pergola is perfect for homeowners looking to make the most of their garden. Pergolas come in a range of styles and offer a number of finishes, including the option of motorised and retractable roofing.

When planted with flowering climbing plants, a pergola can make your garden come alive. Offering outdoor shading, improving privacy and adding bright bursts of colour, there are a number of climbing plants that can be trained to grow up and around your pergola.

ROSES

A favourite flower amongst most gardeners, roses will transform your pergola into a tranquil and romantic sitting area. They flower in abundance from early summer in a choice of colours including pastel pinks, peaches and creams; and vibrant oranges, yellows and reds. Make sure you select a climbing variety, such as the Zephirine Drouhin rose.

HONEYSUCKLE

If you’re after a climbing plant that will cover your pergola quickly, look no further than honeysuckle. It produces fragrant flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink and red, and will attract butterflies and honeybees to your garden. Honeysuckle is a minimum maintenance vine and a single plant can easily cover a large pergola.

CLEMATIS

One of the best pergola plants, you can easily grow and combine clematis with other plants. They grow best when given direct sunlight and look gorgeous spilling down the side of a pergola. With a multitude of different clematis to choose from, it’s possible to enjoy their flowers throughout the year.

TRUMPET VINE

Trumpet vine is a reasonably hardy climber despite its exotic-looking flowers, which can appear in different colours (orange, yellow or red). It can reach a height of 12 metres, making it an excellent choice for any multistory structures. Trumpet vine is best grown in an area with plenty of space and warmth, so full or partial sunlight is ideal.

WISTERIA

A large, long-lived climber with delicate violet-blue, pink and white flowers which usually appear in early summer. Wisteria releases a very pleasant scent and its leafy canopy is ideal for providing shade. When grown as a pergola plant it should be supported well in the early stages, but once it gets going, you will need to prune it regularly to control its growth.

IVY

For pergolas situated in the shade, ivy is one of your best options. It is low maintenance, can tolerate adverse weather, and provides a strong, lush green colour.

PASSION FLOWER

Also known as Passiflora, passion flower is one of the most advisable plants for pergolas as it is extremely sturdy. It is a popular choice because of its heady fragrance, bright, colourful flowers, and edible egg-shaped fruits called Maypops.

GRAPE VINE

If you’re after a picturebook pergola, you’ll love the look of grape vine. It provides plenty of shade and delicious, juicy fruits. The harmony between the purple clusters of grapes and rich green of the leaves makes for a stunning aesthetic at sunrise, sunset or during the day.

JASMINE

Jasmine is a chic elegant flower with a refreshing and relaxing scent that catches the breeze and delights the surroundings. It looks as good as it smells and will quickly take over your pergola.

BOUGAINVILLAEA

Considered the best climbing plant for shade, bougainvillaea is sure to wash your pergola with shades of pink, red, yellow and purple. Disease resistant, pest-free, and drought tolerant, no other plant will give your garden an explosion of vivid colour quite like bougainvillaea.

The OI provides luxury outdoor solutions such as pergolas and verandas to Kenilworth, Coventry and Warwickshire. Additionally, they work with hospitality venues with large outdoor spaces and want verandas, pergolas and party pods.