Climbing plants provide an aesthetic and natural privacy screen that also fulfills ecological functions. On pergolas they mitigate the sun's rays and create a pleasant climate. Wild bees, bumblebees, butterflies and birds thrive among the dense foliage.
Which plants are suitable for greening a pergola?
Climbing plants such as grape vines, clematis, pipe bindweed, ivy, climbing trumpet and honeysuckle are ideal for adding greenery to a pergola. Virginia creeper, rambler roses and trumpet flowers can be placed on the sides, while mandevilla, clematis and wall roses are suitable for posts.
Green the roof
Climbing species that grow more than three meters high and do not carry a lot of weight are suitable for green roofs. Vines are typical examples for the pergola roof. Clematis, morning glory, ivy, climbing trumpet and evergreen honeysuckle add color to the structure.
Instructions for fastening
So that the climbing plants can find sufficient support, the roof must be provided with transverse and longitudinal struts. A grid with a mesh size of between 30 and 50 centimeters proves to be optimal. Closer-meshed structures such as trellis nets increase the maintenance effort, as woody and dead tendrils get caught more easily. If there are no struts, you can tension ropes with a diameter of three millimeters in a crosswise arrangement and fasten them with clamping rings.
Beautify the side surfaces
Various climbing plants find a potential location on the side structures of the pergola. The wild vine needs a climbing aid that the shoots can hold on to. This species is usually planted as a vertical cordon or cord tree. The tree climbs up on a vertical rope. Horizontal arrangements of the cable systems or struts are also possible. Sprawling and expansive plants such as the trumpet flower should also be attached to the pergola with strings.
Tip
Rambler roses wrap around the trellis with their soft and elastic shoots. They can be pushed in the desired direction by tying them up.
Planting the posts
Supports and columns provide an ideal area for short-lived plants that are slow growing and easy to tame. To ensure that the species find support, vertical strands are recommended. You can stretch up to four ropes all around per support and thus create a filling effect. This method is particularly suitable for very massive square pillars that need to be surrounded by greenery.
Continuous bloomers for columns:
- Mandevilla varieties prove to be robust and heat-resistant
- large-flowered clematis hybrids feel more comfortable on posts than on surfaces
- massive main stem of wall roses finds support behind the column
