Chumasande MatiwaneWith your newly built pergola in your garden, it’s time to select the perfect vines to climb and decorate your overhead structure. In addition to providing shade, vines accentuate the shape of your pergola. The good thing about these vines is that they are mostly easy to grow and become drought-tolerant once established.
Bougainvillaea
One of the most resilient and brightly coloured vine options. Bougainvillaea vines are sometimes thorny and work well in full sun and warmer climates. If you want a vine that produces a riot of colours, these are the best options. To get that Mediterranean-sunny feel, bougainvillaea plants might be your answer. Depending on the variety, these vines can grow quickly. When training on your pergola structure, tie shoots to strong support the plant and avoid wind damage.
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Cape honeysuckle
A South African native which can be hard-pruned into a shrub. Once established, the Cape honeysuckle can quickly become a vine with shiny, dark green leaves, dropping all over your pergola. The Cape honeysuckle requires little water and withstands both wind and salt. The compact flowers of the vine usually appear from spring to summer, especially around the coastal provinces.
Bower vine
The Bower Vine provides a fresh and clean look to any pergola. However, it sheds a little and grows in an orderly fashion. It is good to go with full sun, but it prefers partial sun or partial shade. With regular watering, expect deep pink, fragrant flowers.
Wisteria
Coming in purple, blue, and white varieties, this popular vine plant grows in thick clusters and features beautiful, deep green leaves. One of the lovelier options, wisteria can be quite messy during its blooming season. Wisteria growing as a vine should be pruned and trained to help control its size and shape. It is also important to note that these vines can be toxic to dogs.
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The best plants for any pergola highly depend on your intent. If you want to add beautiful colours and scents to your outdoor areas, consider fragrant vines. Whatever you select, your pergola should be both aesthetic and functional, providing privacy, shade and eye candy for your outdoor area.
ALSO SEE: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO INDOOR VINE PLANTS
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