Brits can transform their outdoor spaces using gorgeous climbing plants ahead of spring.
The team at Pergolux UK have shared eight of the best climbing plants – including grapevines – that can help to give a pergola a more luxurious feel and enhance an outdoor space.
Pergolas are an excellent focal point to a garden, and adding climbing plants can help bring the area to life with a burst of colour and fragrance.
Climbers can transform an outdoor space into a peaceful oasis with grapevines providing the perfect addition for those looking to create a Mediterranean style in their garden.
Not only pleasing to the eye, climbers are a haven for wildlife, with plants like honeysuckle and passion flowers proving popular with bees and butterflies.
Sam Stevens from Pergolux UK said: “Enhancing your pergola with a variety of beautiful climbers is a great way to add colour to your garden and enhance your outdoor space.
“Grapevines in particular are a popular choice and can help transform your garden into a Mediterranean paradise, bringing a slice of Tuscany to your home.
“Some climbing plants may require more maintenance than others, but for those who are looking for something relatively hassle-free we suggest honeysuckle and potato vines as they are easy to care for.
“Those who just want to avoid any sort of maintenance whatsoever should consider high-quality artificial climbers as a nice alternative.”
Eight of the best climbing plants for a pergola:
Grapevines
Grapevines are an excellent choice for anyone wanting to create a Mediterranean vineyard inspired look in their garden. These large, vigorous climbers are great for pergolas attached to a house with a south-facing garden, whilst annual pruning is also necessary.
Clematis
These remarkably large, star-shaped flowers are known as the “Queen of the Climbers”. Clematis is a versatile climbing plant with different varieties available that can provide year-round colour to your garden.
Honeysuckle
Coming in a variety of sunny shades, honeysuckle plants are an excellent low-maintenance choice as well as a fast-growing one, so it won’t take long to cover your pergola. And if you want to create a haven for wildlife in your garden, then honeysuckle is extremely attractive for bees and butterflies.
Wisteria
This aesthetically pleasing plant brings an iconic purple colour to your garden, as well as shades of white and pink. Japanese wisteria is the best choice for a pergola, it does well in the shade, making it a perfect choice if your pergola is attached to your house.
Climbing roses
These large, beautiful plants can help to add romantic beauty to any pergola or garden. With many different colours and styles available there should be something to suit every taste, and their long stems mean they can be easily guided up pergola posts.
Passion flowers
Despite their exotic appearance, passion flowers actually prove to be a great choice for any beginner gardeners. As this beautiful plant is a tendril climber, all it needs is a horizontal support and it will wrap itself around it – making it an excellent addition to any pergola.
Potato vines
Another climber that can be easy to grow and maintain, potato vines can reach between four and six metres high, and with a bit of guidance, can easily cover a pergola. These evergreen climbers will provide you with consistent colour and clusters of summer bloom.
Artificial climbers
Some people just don’t want the maintenance and effort that goes into growing real climbing plants, so artificial climbers provide an excellent alternative to decorate your pergola. They’ll give you instant coverage and a variety of colours and options, just make sure to choose high-quality options that are designed for outdoor use so that they are UV-resistant and won’t fade easily.
