Best climbing plants for gazebos and pergolas in the UK
Posted on March 23, 2023
Spring is here!
Spring is here and it's the best time of year for planting your spring and summer flowers. While the weather is still changeable, at last we can emerge and unwrap from the grips of Winter and what better way to show off your garden than with a wooden garden pergola blooming with the colours of climbing plants and flora and spring blossoms.
We often get asked what kind of plants suit our pergolas and gazebos and so here are some of our favourite climbing plants:
Clematis
Clematis is a member of the buttercup family and is popular among gardeners. There are many varieties, from whites and cream to pink and deep purple, but most possess prominent seed heads, fleshy petals and vigorously climb any garden ornament feature.
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Picture credit: Captain-tucker, Cbaile19
The Clematis is a perfect companion to any gazebo or pergola as the plant tends to be light in foliage and gentler on any wooden structure. You must, however, keep this plant trained and under control as it does like to take over if left unhindered.
Rambling Roses
Rambling roses suit a cottage garden style with majestic flower heads offering a touch of drama all over your pergola or gazebo. These climbing roses work well on garden structures because of their lengthy, flexible stems which can easily be trained to grow up your pergola.
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Picture credit: Spedona, Jonathan Billinger
Care should be taken, however with climbing roses and should be well pruned to keep under control as there is the potential for the plant to grow unwieldy and cause structural damage if the pergola cannot
cope with the weight of the plant.
Trumpet Vines
The exotic trumpet vines flower in summer and autumn and they produce large blooms in rich orange, red and crimson. Also known as the trumpet creeper, this vine suits cooler climates and so is popular among growers in the UK.
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Photo credit: Manu, Si Griffiths
The trumpet vine is fast grower so if you aren't a seasoned gardener then this plant will give you some easy wins.
Wisteria
Photo credits: GarethDWinter, Josep Gesti
Like many vines, the wisteria provides a canopy of shade. It's impressive bloom is highly fragranced, and possesses beautiful pendulous flowers, which usually appear throughout spring and early summer.
Passion flowers
Photo credits: Juliaghirimoldi, Billjones94
Best grown in sunny areas in moist draining soil, the Passion Flower attracts bees and butterflies with it's exotic and spectacular petals.
Jasmine
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Photo credits: Jim Evans, Harald the Bard
The Jasmine flower produces an intense fragrance and flourishes in warm weather. While in warmer parts of the world jasmine blooms throughout the year, in the UK it tends to be grown as more of a summer plant.
Considerations when choosing plants for your Pergola or Gazebo
Whatever plant you choose ensure that your wooden pergola or gazebo is treated with a good protector. If you have vines or bushes that last all year round then this could become an obstacle to caring for your garden structure so consider annual plants that you can change out for something different the year after.
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You can keep your gazebo or pergola in good condition by removing any dead vines or woody stems, keeping any climbing plants under control away. Use a liquid protector, sealant, restorer or wood stain every couple of years to protect the wood from aggressive attachment from climbing plants, weathering and ultra violet bleaching.
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Make sure you keep an eye on your pergola or gazebo for signs of damage or wear and tear. It is amazing how quickly a climbing plant can accelerate deterioration to weakened areas. So maintain and replace any broken or rotting wood in order to minimise any damage and ensure longevity of your garden structure.
Alternatives to garden gazebos and pergolas
If you are stuck for space and think a pergola or gazebo wouldn't suit your garden space then all is not lost. Consider trellis, planters and obelisks or a combination of to provide a home for your climbing plants. Perfect for adding a touch of drama to even the smallest of gardens. trellis is perfect for attaching to garden sheds, walls and fences with the roots of the plant growing from a planter below.
Adding climbing plants and rambling vines to gazebos and pergolas can create a stunning focal point, attract butterflies and bees and increase your enjoyment as a gardener.
Whatever your garden project we can provide the perfect solution for you. If you want to know more about our garden structures then visit our pergolas and gazebos page or contact us on 01482 887921 for an informal chat.
