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From fast‑growing favourites to scented climbers that truly thrive on pergolas, these beautiful plants will elevate your garden structure with minimal effort
Pergolas have become a sought-after addition to outdoor spaces in recent years. These luxury garden structures are ideal for zoning an area — creating a dedicated spot for dining, lounging or entertaining — while also providing shade and a striking focal point. When styled with hanging lanterns or festoon lights, they can transform the garden into something truly magical once the sun goes down.
But if your pergola is looking a little sparse or uninspired, the answer may lie in climbing plants. We’ve asked gardening experts to recommend the best climbers for pergolas, from low-maintenance varieties to statement plants that bring colour and fragrance. These recommended plants are also a 'haven for wildlife, with plants like honeysuckle and passion flowers proving popular with bees and butterflies', says Sam Stevens, Pergolux UK’s garden design expert.
However, not all climbers will manage unaided. 'While plants like wisteria weave themselves around the pergola naturally, some climbers such as clematis and climbing roses require trellis, wires or ties to guide them up a pergola,' adds Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk.
For a beautiful outdoor display, keep reading to discover seven expert-approved climbing plants for pergolas.
Ideal for adding some Mediterranean flair to your garden, grapevines are not only fast-growing climbing plants, but they are an excellent choice for anyone wanting to create a vineyard-inspired look.
There are two main types of grapes – dessert grapes (for eating) and wine grapes. The experts at Roots Plants suggest 'Muscat Bleu' for a pergola.
'Pruning in late winter helps manage their vigorous growth and encourages fruit production, so ensure that your pergola is sturdy enough to support the weight of the vines and fruit,' explains Luke Dejahang, plant expert and CEO at Crown Pavilions.
Grapevines are particularly beneficial for pergolas attached to homes with a south-facing garden.
Known as 'the queen of climbers,' clematis is another great climbing plant for a pergola. With its star-shaped flowers, there are plenty of varieties to choose from (clematis are divided into three groups) that will supply exceptional colour and coverage to your outdoor space.
RHS-recommended varieties include:
Provide vertical support to these rambling plants to encourage new growth to go in the right direction.
With eye-catching colours and a trumpet-like shape, honeysuckle is renowned for its sweet-scented flowers and rapid growth. It's also 'generally unfussy when it comes to soil acidity levels, thriving in everything from an alkaline to acidic nature, and can be planted in either full sun or partial shade', says Morris Hankinson, founder and MD of Hopes Grove Nurseries.
RHS-recommended varieties include:
'Few climbing plants rival the beauty of wisteria when it is in full bloom, with its cascades of fragrant lavender, blue, or white flowers,' says Morris. And we have to agree.
There are two types of wisteria that are commonly grown in the UK (wisteria floribunda and wisteria sinensis), flowering from May to June. They really are fleeting beauties!
Top tip: 'Always plant your wisteria plant in moist, well-drained soil in a south-facing/full-sun situation, otherwise it may only flower sparsely – or even worse – not at all,' Morris warns.
Roses are always going to be one of the most popular plants in British gardens, adding romantic charm to any corner of your outdoor space.
'When training your climbing roses, tie them to your pergola with twine and ensure you've tied them loosely, as it could impact growth otherwise,' Morris explains.
Some of our favourite climbing roses include:
These striking exotic plants, which attract butterflies and other pollinators, can certainly give your garden a tropical feel. Even though they thrive in full sun, passion flowers 'can tolerate partial shade, requiring at least four to six hours of sunlight each day', says Luke.
To ensure it thrives, keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing season. Applying mulch can help retain soil moisture, too. Prune these vigorous, evergreen climbers in early spring to help to remove any dead or weak growth and to shape the plant.
Passion flowers are self-clinging, using their tendrils to climb, so trail them against your pergola post and tie in loose stems to secure them.
If you're not familiar with the potato vine, this semi-evergreen climber will provide you with consistent colour and clusters of summer bloom. Easy to grow and maintain, this plant often reaches between four and six metres high – all it needs is a bit of guidance to easily cover a pergola.
Its jasmine-scented too, so ideal if you're looking for a fragrant climber. It's characterised by dark glossy leaves and star-shaped bluish-white flowers with tiny yellow centres.
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