Adding a vine-covered pergola to your property is a good way to bring nature to an empty yard—front and back. However, unlike placing a succulent on an accent table or adorning a corner with a fiddle-leaf fig tree, finding the right plants to climb up and around pergolas isn’t as easy. You have to find a strong enough vine to make the trip in the first place, but then there’s also picking a plant that will thrive in your climate.

3 Plants That Are Perfect for Pergolas

1. Clematis Vines

Known as “the queen of vines,” the clematis plant is easy to grow and thrives in most climates. Furthermore, its breathtakingly beautiful blooms are relatively long-lasting. To ensure healthy clematis vines, make sure the root runs are well-shaded. Either protect them with well-placed, shallow-rooted ground cover or place an attractive layer of mulch on top to protect them from the sun and retain moisture.

2. Boston Ivy

Boston ivy is a good choice for homeowners who would rather not have flowers adorning their pergola. It grows well in most parts of the United States, with the exception of seasonless and subtropic areas like southern California and Florida. Boston ivy grows vigorously and only needs pruning once a year in the late winter. When planted in the sun, Boston ivy can turn from a deep-green color in the summer to a rich-red tone in the autumn.

3. Wisteria

Wisteria is another high-climbing vine that features lilac or bluish-purple flower blooms. It grows quite aggressively and can thrive in most soils. Note that Chinese and Japanese wisterias are nonnative plants and some states even consider them invasive species, so it’s best to look into native varieties like the Kentucky wisteria for patio covers. Wisteria plants can become quite heavy once they’ve reached their full height and might need trimming from time to time to maintain the structure of the pergola. 

From covered decks to sunrooms, Rustique Sunrooms has been helping people in O’Fallon, MO, St Charles and the surrounding area, , create the homes of their dreams for over 45 years. They also create custom projects, including screen porches, carports, and pergolas, while utilizing energy-efficient technology to help slash costs. If you are in the market for a budget-friendly custom home addition, call (636) 262-8831, or visit their website to learn more about their process.