Which climbing plant for a pergola?
There's no better way to plant a pergola than with climbing plants. They cling to the pillars and climb up to the roof. Whether you prefer green foliage or colourful flowers, there's something for everyone. Discover our advice.
How do you plant your climbers near the pergola?
Whichever plant you choose, you'll first need to get it into the ground. You will need to dig a planting hole in the ground, about 20 cm from the support pillar. The hole should be twice the diameter of the root ball.
At the bottom of the mould, you will first lay a drainage layer, before adding potting soil. When you place the root ball, tilt it slightly towards the pergola, guided by a stake. The vines and other climbing stems will then gradually wrap themselves around the pillar.
Which climbing plants grow quickly?
To dress up your pergola quickly, without waiting indefinitely for your plants to grow, you can turn to the following plants:
- Virginia creeper: grows two to three metres per season. Its dense foliage will quickly cover your pergola. Very easy to care for, it turns red in autumn but will wither in the colder months.
- Golden hop: this plant can grow to a metre in a month, and up to 6 metres in a year. Its highly decorative leaves turn from yellow to green in summer. However, it will need pruning in winter to prevent it from taking over.
- Banks rose: it is possible to plant a climbing rose on a pergola. This very fast-growing rose is also very vigorous and easy to care for. It has no thorns and even retains its foliage in winter (although it won't withstand too much cold).
- Clematis: this creeper can double in size in a month and grow up to 5 m high. To enjoy them all year round, be sure to choose an evergreen variety. Also check that the one you prefer can withstand the temperatures in your region.
- Passionflower: Passionflowers are distinguished by their spectacular, large, brightly coloured flowers. Its rapid growth and evergreen foliage mean you can enjoy it all year round.
- Star jasmine: this ‘false jasmine’ quickly reaches several metres in height. Resistant even to low temperatures, it has evergreen foliage and flowers from June to September. What's more, it's very easy to care for.
Which plants can I use to pick fruit from my pergola?
It's also great to be able to pick fruit, almost maintenance-free, with just your hand outstretched from your garden furniture.
For this, you can opt for vines, raspberry bushes or mulberry trees. You know the exotic version, but kiwifruit also thrives in our latitudes and will look great on your pergola. You can also enjoy climbing strawberry plants, such as Mount Everest, which reaches a metre in height.
What climbing plants should I choose for my pergola?
While most climbing plants thrive in the sun, you may also want to plant the inside of the pergola. In that case, it would be wiser to opt for shade plants such as hostas and certain camellias. Climbing hydrangeas will also cling to the pillars from inside the pergola. The same goes for honeysuckle: its stem will be more protected in the shade, while its leaves prefer the sun.
Discover the inspirations
Read all the articles in the magazine
You have a project?
Would you like a personalised 3D study and a free quotation? Contact us by clicking below.
AKENA is...
Over 40 years of experience
Founded in 1981 by one man, we now have more than 500 employees dedicated to making your project a success.
Made in France
A historic site and two factories covering more than 25,000 m² in Dompierre-sur-Yon in the Vendée region (85)
Innovative and tailor-made products
At AKENA, we are brimming with new ideas to improve and enhance our products.
The European leader in conservatories, pergolas...
But not only! AKENA also offers a complete range of carports and pool houses.