A Complete Guide to the Best Vines for Pergolas and Arbors

So, you’ve taken the leap and built a beautiful pergola or arbor in your outdoor space – congratulations! Now the fun part begins: choosing the perfect vines to grow and adorn your new overhead structure. Vines not only provide shade but also add a touch of natural beauty and charm to your pergola or arbor. They can help define the shape of your structure and create a cozy, inviting atmosphere in your outdoor living area.

But with so many vine options out there, how do you know which ones are the best fit for your pergola or arbor? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the top vines that are easy to grow, love the sun, and can withstand drought once established. From colorful flowering vines to aromatic climbers, we’ll explore a variety of options to help you find the perfect vine for your pergola or arbor.

Bougainvillea

Botanical name: Bougainvillea glabra
Flower color: Large, papery, colorful bracts in shades of red, pink, purple, orange, white, yellow, or orange.
Size: Up to 30 feet.

If you’re looking for a vine that will bring a riot of color to your arbor or pergola, bougainvillea is a fantastic choice. This tropical beauty, native to South America, thrives in Mediterranean or sunny climates. Bougainvillea can be planted in a container and used as a summer annual, making it a versatile option for your outdoor space.

Bower Vine

Botanical name: Pandorea jasminoides (Tecoma jasminoides)
Flower color: White or pink.
Size: Up to 30 feet.

Originating from Australia, the Bower Vine is a fast-growing plant with white flowers that have pink throats. Some varieties, like the ‘Deep Pink Form,’ even boast a lovely fragrance. Regular watering is key to keeping this beauty happy and thriving in your garden.

Cape Honeysuckle

Botanical name: Tecoma capensis (Tecomaria capensis)
Flower color: Orange-red.
Size: Up to 40 feet.

This South African native can quickly become a vine with shiny dark green leaves, creating a lush and vibrant look on your arbor or pergola. The Cape Honeysuckle is hardy, withstands wind, salt, and air, and requires minimal water once established. Its compact flowers bloom from fall into spring, adding a splash of color to your outdoor space.

Carolina Jessamine

Botanical name: Gelsemium sempervirens
Flower color: Yellow.
Size: Up to 20 feet.

With shiny light green leaves and beautiful trumpet-shaped yellow flowers, Carolina Jessamine adds a touch of southern charm to your pergola or arbor. It’s a native to the southeastern United States and thrives in sunny conditions. Watch as its vines cascade down and sway in the breeze, creating a picturesque scene in your garden.

Chocolate Vine

Botanical name: Akebia quinata
Flower color: Plum; reddish-purple or dull purple.
Size: Up to 30 feet.

Hailing from Japan, China, and Korea, the Chocolate Vine is known for its delicate leaves and vanilla-scented flowers. This vine even bears edible fruit that resembles a long, purplish sausage. With the help of arbors, trellises, or pergolas, this climber can flourish in your outdoor space.

Clematis

Botanical name: Clematis
Flower color: Various colors including blue, red, pink, white, lavender, magenta, dark purple, yellow, and more.
Size: Up to 20 feet.

With over 200 species to choose from, Clematis offers a wide range of colors to brighten up your pergola or arbor. This beautiful vining plant thrives in sunny spots and can climb up structures with ease. Plant Clematis near other plants that won’t compete for root space to ensure it has room to grow and flourish.

Climbing Roses

Botanical name: Rosa
Colors: Various colors such as white, pink, red, yellow, etc.
Size: Up to 40 feet.

Whether you opt for vigorous climbers to cover the roof of your house or more moderate varieties for your pergola or arbor, Climbing Roses add a touch of elegance and fragrance to your outdoor space. Some varieties even boast intoxicating scents, creating a sensory delight in your garden.

Grapes

Botanical name: Vitis vinifera
Flower or fruit colors: Purple, green, black, or combinations of these colors.
Size: Up to 20 feet.

Grapes are not only delicious but also stunning to look at as they climb and thrive on your pergola or arbor. While commonly associated with Mediterranean climates, grapes can grow in a variety of regions when provided with proper support. A pergola or arbor offers the perfect framework for grapevines to flourish and produce fruit.

Giant Burmese Honeysuckle

Botanical name: Lonicera hildebrandiana
Flower color: White.
Size: Up to 30 feet.

This fast-growing vine from China adds a touch of exotic beauty to your arbors and pergolas. With oval, glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant flowers that transition in color from white to yellow and orange, the Giant Burmese Honeysuckle is sure to be a showstopper in your outdoor space.

Moonflower

Botanical name: Ipomoea alba
Flowers: White, fragrant blooms that open at night.
Size: Up to 30 feet.

For a quick-growing vine that provides rapid shade on your arbor or pergola, look no further than the Moonflower. Its funnel-shaped flowers are not only beautiful to look at but also emit a lovely fragrance, making it a delightful addition to your outdoor living area.

Passion Flower

Botanical name: Passiflora
Flower colors: White, pink, purple, red, yellow, and orange with various center colors and fragrances.
Size: Up to 40 feet.

With over 500 species to choose from, Passion Flowers offer a wide array of colors and scents to enhance your pergola or arbor. When provided with support like a pergola or arbor, these vines attach effortlessly and create a stunning display in your garden. Some species of Passion Flower have even been used for their healing properties, making them both beautiful and beneficial additions to your outdoor space.

Pink Jasmine

Botanical name: Jasminium polyanthum
Flower color: White and rose.
Size: Up to 20 feet.

Hailing from China, Pink Jasmine is known for its highly fragrant blossoms that bloom in shades of rose and white. This evergreen vine can be planted in the ground or in containers and trained over arbors or pergolas. With blooms that appear throughout the year in warmer climates, Pink Jasmine is a lovely choice for adding color and scent to your outdoor space.

Trumpet Creeper

Botanical name: Campsis radicans
Flower color: Red, orange, and yellow.
Size: Up to 40 feet.

Also known as the common trumpet creeper, this native vine to the eastern United States is a popular choice for cold climates. With its vibrant tubular flowers that bloom throughout the summer months, the Trumpet Creeper adds a burst of color to your garden and thrives on arbors and pergolas.

Trumpet Honeysuckle

Botanical name: Lonicera sempervirens
Flower color: Scarlet to yellow-orange.
Size: Up to 20 feet.

Featuring showy trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red and orange, the Trumpet Honeysuckle is a striking addition to your pergola or arbor. While it may not have a scent, this vine blooms from late spring through summer and boasts attractive green leaves that create a lush backdrop for its colorful flowers.

Wisteria

Botanical name: Wisteria
Flower colors: Beautiful clusters of purple, blue, white, or pink blossoms.
Size: Varies by species but can reach up to 40 feet.

Known for its cascading clusters of colorful blossoms, Wisteria adds a touch of elegance and charm to pergolas and arbors. To ensure your Wisteria thrives, regular pruning and training are essential to control its size and shape. With the right care, Wisteria can produce a strong trunk and lush foliage, creating a stunning focal point in your outdoor space.

In conclusion, choosing the right vine for your pergola or arbor is essential to create a beautiful and harmonious outdoor space. Whether you prefer colorful flowers, fragrant blooms, or delicious fruits, there’s a perfect vine out there to suit your preferences and growing conditions. By selecting the right vine for your pergola or arbor, you can transform your outdoor space into a lush and inviting oasis that you’ll enjoy for years to come. So, go ahead and start exploring the world of vines to find the perfect match for your pergola or arbor. Happy gardening!