The Best Vines for a Wood Pergola

Tendril

• Tendril vines make themselves at home by climbing horizontal supports, such as the horizontal pieces in wooden lattice board that is attached to vertical and horizontal beams of a pergola. The stems of tendril vines are flexible, leafless and very aggressive. The tendrils actually climb and search the air for something to grab onto, then coil and start the process over. Grapes, peas and cucumbers are the most recognizable tendril-vine plants, and all work very well on wood pergolas. Grapevines require two to three years to become established and then produce prolifically each season thereafter, gracing the pergola with a wealth of fruit and foliage.

Twining

• Plants such as evergreen wisteria and coral and gold flame honeysuckle are good examples of twining vines that climb vigorously on pergolas. They perform much like tendril vines, wrapping around and climbing materials that are smaller in diameter than vertical and horizontal beams. Attaching lattice board or support wire to a pergola gives these vines a medium to twine around. Wisteria produces very dense foliage with heavy masses of hanging flowers that block sunlight and provide privacy. Be certain the pergola is soundly built before you plant wisteria because the plant can become heavy over the years. Use twining vines primarily on wooden pergolas with narrow vertical lattice work on supports and canopy.

Clinging

• Climbing roses such as Handel, Iceberg and Mermaid are vigorous growers with long, flexible stems that attach to vertical and horizontal beams of the pergola. The addition of narrow horizontal lattice work on the sides or top of a pergola creates more room for the roses to climb and ensures more privacy, attractiveness and protection from the sun. Climbing roses bloom throughout the spring and summer, decorating the pergola with beautifully hued flowers. They prefer at least six hours of full sunlight per day, with an eastern exposure if possible, although they will do well under less than these ideal conditions. The vines need to be trained to climb desired routes and will grow to the point where they heavily cover these areas. A well-built pergola is necessary to support the vines and flowers. While climbing roses require training and pruning, they are a beautiful and fragrant addition to a garden or backyard and are well worth the effort.