16 Pergola-Friendly Plants and Flowers to Add Charm and Beauty
Pergolas are a beautiful addition to any garden, and they become even more enchanting when adorned with the right plants and flowers.
You may be aiming for a cozy, shaded retreat with climbing vines that create a natural canopy, or envision a colorful, fragrant haven with blooming flowers that attract pollinators and add a touch of romance.
Adding climbing vines and blooming flowers can truly elevate your pergola’s appeal.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up 16 stunning plants and flowers that will thrive on your pergola, transforming it into a lush, vibrant escape.
With these ideas, you’ll be able to create a breathtaking pergola that feels like a natural extension of your garden.
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle thrives with its fragrant flowers and climbing ability, making it a lovely addition to your garden. Its vibrant blooms attract pollinators while bringing life to any space.
With partial shade and moist but well-drained soil, honeysuckle grows beautifully on fences, walls, or pergolas. You will enjoy the sweet scent and natural privacy it provides in your landscape.
Passion Flowers
Passion flowers captivate with their exotic blooms, adding an artistic flair to your garden. Growing easily on trellises or fences, they bring a touch of elegance to any outdoor space.
You’ll find these vines not only enhance your garden's beauty but also attract butterflies, adding life and color. Their intricate flowers make them an extraordinary choice for gardeners seeking a tropical vibe.
Potato Vine
Potato vine, known for its rapid growth, is ideal for covering pergolas, fences, or trellises. This green beauty thrives in a variety of light conditions, from full sun to shade.
Its versatility makes it perfect for filling empty spaces with lush foliage. With minimal care, you can enjoy the dense coverage and vibrant presence this vine offers in your garden.
Grapevines
Grapevines not only add visual appeal to your garden but also provide delicious fruit for home winemaking or snacking. These vines thrive on pergolas or trellises, bringing shade and beauty to any outdoor space.
You might appreciate how their large, green leaves create a lush atmosphere, while the clusters of grapes add an elegant touch. Grapevines blend beauty with practicality, making them a favorite for many gardeners.
Clematis
Clematis vines showcase stunning blooms in a variety of colors, weaving through trellises, fences, and arbors. These perennial vines bring texture and charm to your garden, complementing other plants beautifully.
You’ll enjoy the long-lasting flowers that enhance your landscape with both color and depth. Clematis is a must-have for anyone looking to add elegance to their outdoor space.
Rangoon Creeper
Rangoon Creeper enchants with its vibrant blooms and bushy growth habit, making it a perfect addition to tropical gardens. Its fast-growing nature and long-lasting flowers cover pergolas or trellises with ease.
You’ll love how this vine brings a lush, colorful presence to your outdoor space. Its stunning red and pink blossoms create a captivating scene that enhances the garden’s overall charm.
Bower Vine
Bower vine charms with its fragrant pink and white flowers, blooming throughout most of the year. This twining plant grows quickly and thrives on fences, trellises, or pergolas, creating an airy screen.
You might enjoy how it brings color and beauty to your outdoor space without becoming too dense. Bower vine offers a delicate, open structure that enhances any garden setting with grace.
Wisteria
Wisteria brings an enchanting touch to your garden with its cascading, fragrant blooms. This vigorous climber thrives on sturdy structures like pergolas or arches, reaching impressive heights.
You’ll love the visual impact of its large flower clusters, which create a dramatic, elegant scene. With proper support, wisteria can become a stunning focal point in your garden, combining beauty with grandeur.
Golden Hops
Golden hops is a decorative vine prized for its yellow-green leaves and fast growth. This perennial thrives on fences or trellises, adding a fresh look to your landscape.
You might appreciate its additional value for home brewing, as hops are essential in beer production. The golden hops vine combines beauty with practicality, making it a versatile choice for any garden.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea makes a bold statement with its vivid, colorful bracts and thorny vines. This fast-growing plant thrives in hot, sunny conditions, climbing trellises, pergolas, or fences with ease.
You’ll appreciate how its vibrant colors and bushy growth habit create an eye-catching display. Bougainvillea adds a tropical flair to any garden, making it a striking choice for warm climates.
English Ivy
English ivy provides an elegant solution for covering walls or unsightly structures with its dense, trailing vines. Its dark green leaves bring a classic, timeless feel to your garden, making it a popular ground cover as well.
You’ll enjoy how this hardy plant thrives in shaded areas, creating a natural barrier while enhancing the aesthetic of your space. English ivy adds both beauty and function to any landscape.
Crimson Glory Vine
Crimson Glory vine offers a striking display with its rich red leaves and ornamental foliage. This vine grows vigorously, making it perfect for covering fences, pergolas, or walls.
You might enjoy its ability to create a natural screen, providing privacy and beauty simultaneously. Crimson Glory vine is a bold choice that adds a touch of elegance and color to your garden year-round.
Moonflower
Moonflower captivates with its large, fragrant blooms that open at dusk, adding a magical touch to any night garden. This perennial vine thrives in well-lit spots, climbing fences or trellises gracefully.
You’ll appreciate how its luminous white flowers create an enchanting atmosphere after sunset. The moonflower is a stunning choice for those who want to enjoy a fragrant, evening-blooming plant.
Climbing Rose
Climbing roses possess a timeless appeal, creating a romantic atmosphere with their fragrant, colorful blooms. These roses climb beautifully on pergolas, walls, or trellises, adding height and charm to any garden.
You can train them to create a natural canopy, providing shade and privacy. Their delicate petals and climbing nature make them perfect for transforming outdoor spaces into serene retreats.
Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vine stands out with its bright, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and pollinators. This fast-growing vine thrives on sturdy structures like fences and pergolas, adding vibrant color to your garden.
Its hardy nature makes it a low-maintenance choice for covering large areas with lush greenery. You will appreciate how the trumpet vine brings energy and life to your outdoor space.
Jasmine
Jasmine adds a fragrant touch to your garden with its glossy leaves and delicate, aromatic blooms. This vine grows well on trellises or fences, providing a natural privacy screen or vertical accent.
You will love the sweet fragrance that fills the air, especially during warm summer evenings. Jasmine brings both beauty and a calming scent to your outdoor environment.