Covering your pergola with lush, climbing plants not only provides essential shade but also enhances the beauty of your outdoor space.
Pergola plants are both functional and decorative, allowing you to create a seamless connection between your pergola and the surrounding greenery.
With so many stunning climbing plants available, choosing the right ones can be overwhelming.
Here are some of the best options to transform your pergola into a natural oasis:
1. Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
Morning glory boasts brilliant blue, pink, or purple trumpet-shaped blooms that persist from summer through most of autumn.
With its ability to climb up to 15 feet, it thrives in full sun and relatively dry soil. This hardy plant grows well in zones 3 through 10, making it a versatile option for various climates.
Morning glories attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity in your garden.
2. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Bleeding heart is known for its heart-shaped, pink or white flowers that bloom in early spring. The bluish-green foliage adds an extra layer of beauty to your garden.
It thrives in organic soil and prefers shaded areas with consistently moist soil. This plant is well-suited for cooler climates and can provide a striking contrast to other greenery.
3. Tropical Bleeding Heart (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)
Also known as Glory Bower, this stunning plant features elegant white flowers with red centers and dark green foliage.
Originating from Western Africa, it requires warmth, high humidity, and well-drained soil to flourish. It is a fast-growing vine that thrives in tropical and subtropical climates.
4. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)
For gardens with ample sunlight, bougainvillea is an excellent choice. It is a fast-growing climber that can reach up to 30 feet high.
Thriving in zones 9 to 11, it prefers temperatures above 30°F and rewards gardeners with vibrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, and yellow.
Bougainvillea is highly drought-tolerant, making it a great option for warmer climates.
5. Ivy (Hedera spp.)
A classic choice for pergolas, ivy is low-maintenance and can withstand various growing conditions. It tolerates neglect and thrives in both sunny and shaded areas, making it perfect for effortless greenery.
English ivy (Hedera helix) is particularly well-suited for covering large pergola structures, offering year-round greenery.
6. Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea)
This beautiful vine attracts butterflies with its striking deep blue blooms that sometimes display white or purple markings.
It thrives in zones 10 and 11, requires full sun, and can grow up to 10 feet in height while tolerating high humidity and dry conditions. Butterfly pea flowers are also used in herbal teas and natural dyes.
7. Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
The non-bush variety of sweet pea is ideal for pergolas. It produces fragrant blossoms in pink, purple, and white and is easy to grow in most climates as long as it receives plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil.
It thrives in cool conditions and adds a sweet aroma to any garden.
8. Clematis (Clematis spp.)
Clematis is a brightly colored vine that thrives in zones 4 through 9. It produces star-like flowers in colors ranging from white and pink to deep purple and blue.
Reaching at least six feet in height, this plant can nearly double in size with proper care. It blooms from early spring until late summer, making it a favorite for vertical gardening.
9. Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris)
This elegant climber produces glossy heart-shaped leaves and fragrant white flowers in spring. Though slow-growing, it is worth the wait.
It requires regular care and pruning but rewards gardeners with stunning floral displays. Climbing hydrangeas thrive in cooler climates and shaded areas.
10. Bignonia (Bignonia capreolata)
A fast-growing climber, bignonia produces delicate trumpet-shaped flowers in bright orange and red.
It can reach heights of 50 feet and thrives in full to partial sun with slightly acidic soil, growing best in zones 5 through 9. Its vibrant flowers attract hummingbirds and bees, making it a great pollinator-friendly choice.
11. Grape Vine (Vitis spp.)
This multi-functional vine is both ornamental and edible. It provides excellent shade while producing delicious, nutrient-rich fruit.
Grape vines thrive in various climates and require well-drained soil and full sun exposure. Popular varieties include Concord, Thompson Seedless, and Muscadine, each with its unique flavor and growth habit.
12. Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
Honeysuckle grows quickly and fills the air with a sweet fragrance that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. It can reach up to 20 feet in height and blooms from May until late summer.
It grows best in zones 4 through 9 in either full or partial sun. The tubular flowers come in colors like red, orange, yellow, and pink.
13. Golden Hops (Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’)
Golden hops are popular for covering pergolas due to their fast-growing nature. They reach up to 8 meters in length and feature large, vibrant golden-green foliage.
These plants thrive in cold and temperate climates and require ample space to spread.
14. Jasmine (Jasminum spp.)
Jasmine creates a full, fragrant vine that blooms all year in warm, humid climates. In cooler areas, it flowers annually.
It grows best in zones 6 through 10 and can reach over 35 feet in height with only partial sunlight.
Popular species include Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) and Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac), known for their intoxicating fragrance.
15. Kiwi Vine (Actinidia deliciosa)
Kiwi vines are excellent for large spaces, making them ideal for pergolas. They require both male and female plants for fruit production and grow vigorously, providing both shade and delicious fruit.
Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta) is a cold-resistant variety that thrives in zones 4 through 9.
16. Passion Flower (Passiflora spp.)
Passion flower is a hardy vine that grows in zones 7 through 10. It produces intricate, exotic-looking flowers in shades of blue, purple, or pink and can climb up to 30 feet in a single season.
Preferring full sun and well-drained soil, it thrives in warmer climates and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
17. Wisteria (Wisteria spp.)
For an abundance of purple and blue flowers, wisteria is a great choice. This fast-growing vine reaches up to 25 feet and thrives in full sun with well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
It performs best in zones 4 through 9 and requires strong support structures due to its vigorous growth habit.
Adding climbing plants to your pergola is a fantastic way to enhance its beauty while providing natural shade.
Whether you choose grape vines for fruit, jasmine for fragrance, or wisteria for elegance, there’s a perfect plant for every pergola.
