Key points at a glance:
- A pergola covered in plants provides natural shade and a sheltered retreat in the garden, and with flowering climbing plants it serves as an attractive focal point; careful planning regarding location and light conditions is crucial to achieving this.
- Sturdy metal pergolas, such as those from ELEO, are particularly suitable, as they offer optimal support for vigorous climbing plants like wisteria or grapevines and are characterised by their durability.
- Choosing hardy plants suited to the location, complemented by suitable trellises, ensures you will enjoy your stylish pergola for years to come.
A green pergola enhances your outdoor space in many ways: it provides natural shade, creates a sheltered retreat and adds beautiful touches with flowering or fruit-bearing plants. In this guide, you’ll learn how to plant your pergola, which climbing plants are suitable for it, and what you should pay particular attention to when choosing, caring for and designing it.
Growing plants on a pergola: planning and preparation
Before you start planting your pergola, it’s worth planning carefully. The location, light conditions, soil quality and the structure of your pergola all play a crucial role. Metal pergolas provide a particularly sturdy base for vigorous plants such as wisteria or vines – you might even want to install a trellis for extra support. When choosing a location, ensure there is sufficient space between the pergola and the house wall and any paths, as some plants can grow to considerable sizes over the years.
The best time to plant is in the spring after the last frost. This gives the plants a full growing season to grow and establish themselves.
Our metal pergolas for growing plants
Elba Pergola
3 x 2 m · 4 passages · solid iron
Vite Trellis
Simple design · Easy assembly
Sardegna Pergola
3 x 4 m · 6 passages · solid iron
Ischia Pergola
3 x 2 m · 4 passages · solid iron
Sicilia Pergola
3 x 4 m · 6 passages · solid iron
Shade sail (pergola)
SPF 80 · Water pressure resistance 70 mbar
The best climbing plants for your pergola
Wisteria for the pergola
Wisteria is a classic choice for a pergola. Its long, fragrant clusters of flowers make it a striking feature. However, it requires a very sturdy pergola and regular pruning to prevent it from becoming too overgrown. Wisteria prefers sunny spots, but is one of the pergola plants that are hardy.
Grapevines (Vitis vinifera) for the pergola
Would you like to decorate your pergola with grapes and decorative foliage? If so, vines are an excellent choice for a pergola. It is important to choose a sunny, sheltered spot. Opt for hardy plants – there are plenty of frost-resistant varieties available. Trellises will help support the growth.
Plants for the pergola: Wild vine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Wild vine is notable for its rapid growth and its vibrant red autumn colour. It requires no special support and is extremely low-maintenance. As a particularly fast-growing plant for pergolas, wild vine covers large areas in a short space of time.
Clematis for the pergola
Clematis is a delight thanks to its wide variety of cultivars and flowers in a vast array of colours. Depending on the species, the flowering period ranges from spring to autumn. When combined with other climbing plants on a pergola, it adds seasonal variety. Clematis requires shade for its roots but needs sun for its vines.
Plants for the pergola: climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris)
If you’re looking for a shade-tolerant, slow-growing climbing plant for your pergola, the climbing hydrangea is the perfect choice. Its large, white flowers create a romantic atmosphere, particularly on east- or north-facing sides.
You can find even more inspiration on beautiful climbing plants for pergolas, rose arches and the like in our blog posts.
Climbing plants and rambling plants for sunny and shady spots
Climbing plants are true masters of climbing and go about it with great skill. We’ll explain which climbing plants are suitable for sunny spots and which prefer the shade.
Growing plants on a pergola: criteria for choosing your plants
Hardiness
In general, it is advisable to choose plants for your pergola that are hardy. These can withstand even the harshest winters without protection. From this perspective, vines, wisteria and clematis are ideal choices for a pergola.
Site conditions
The choice of suitable plants depends largely on the light conditions and soil type at your pergola’s location. Find out in advance about the specific requirements of your chosen plants to ensure they thrive.
Growing speed
Many gardeners opt for fast-growing plants to achieve quick results. However, these often require more maintenance. A combination of fast-growing plants for the pergola and slow-growing varieties ensures a balanced overall appearance in the long term.
Maintenance requirements
Some climbing plants for pergolas, such as wisteria, need to be pruned regularly. Others, such as wild vine, require hardly any attention. Choose your plant based on the level of maintenance you’re willing to undertake and your gardening experience.
Growing plants on a pergola: planting tips and care advice
Planting time
The ideal time to plant a pergola is in spring. This allows the plants to develop a sufficient root system before winter. However, autumn is also suitable for many species.
Planting distance and depth
Follow the recommended planting depth and spacing between individual plants. It is best to consult the relevant care label for this. This will help prevent competition for light and nutrients.
Watering and fertilising
Young plants need regular watering. Later on, natural rainfall is usually sufficient. Slow-release fertiliser supports growth in spring.
Pruning and support
Careful pruning encourages branching and flower formation. Use a sturdy pergola and, if necessary, a trellis to provide support for the plants.
Design ideas for your pergola
Combine different types of plants to extend the flowering season and create visual interest over several months. You can also complement your pergola with a matching shade sail for extra shade, as well as side trellises to support the plants as they grow.
Are you still looking for the right pergola for your chosen plants? At ELEO, you’ll find high-quality metal pergolas that are more than just a visual delight: thanks to their sturdy construction, they provide reliable support for a wide variety of climbing plants – from delicate wild vine to vigorous wisteria or fruit-bearing vines. Even with vigorous plant growth, wind and weather, they retain their shape permanently and form the ideal base for your green oasis.
Frequently asked questions
If you want to plant your pergola and achieve a dense canopy quickly, fast-growing plants such as wild vine or wisteria are particularly suitable. These develop long shoots in a short time and cover large areas. A sturdy structure and sufficient space for vigorous growth are essential. Regular pruning helps to control the shape and keep it looking neat.
Low-maintenance climbing plants for pergolas include, above all, wild vine and certain varieties of clematis. They have minimal soil requirements and thrive with standard garden care. It is important to choose a suitable location based on the light conditions. This will ensure you have attractive greenery with manageable maintenance requirements.
A wild vine on a pergola impresses with its dense foliage, rapid growth and stunning autumn colours. The plant is hardy, robust and requires very little additional care. It clings to the structure on its own and is ideal if you’re looking to cover a large area with greenery. It’s a real eye-catcher, particularly in gardens with a natural design.
Plants such as grapevines, wisteria or certain types of rose are ideal for sunny spots. These plants thrive in plenty of light and will produce abundant flowers or attractive fruit in such conditions. Make sure to water them regularly during prolonged dry spells. This will ensure your pergola remains healthy and attractive in the long term.
Metal pergolas from ELEO
Sardegna Pergola
3 x 4 m · 6 passages · solid iron
Ischia Pergola
3 x 2 m · 4 passages · solid iron
Elba Pergola
3 x 2 m · 4 passages · solid iron
Sicilia Pergola
3 x 4 m · 6 passages · solid iron
Vite Trellis
Simple design · Easy assembly
Shade sail (pergola)
SPF 80 · Water pressure resistance 70 mbar