Best Flowering Vines for Arbors and Pergolas

by Tammy Sons – January 06, 2025

Training a vine to cover an arbor or pergola can provide shade, add interest to the structure, and provide a beautiful entrance to a garden.  The wrong vine, however, can destroy your arbor or pergola.  Here are some tips on finding the right vine for your structure.

Ways Vines Climb

Vines are divided into four groups based on how they climb.  Some vines use a combination of ways to climb, but these classifications are useful to understand.

Clinging

Clinging vines have specialized structures called adventitious roots.  These roots grow from the stem and act like suction cups.  They attach to anything they touch.  Clinging vines can damage structures when the roots work their way into cracks and widen them.  Stucco is especially vulnerable.  Wood fences are also at risk because the vine keeps moisture locked against the wood and causes rot in the wood.

Sprawling

Sprawling vines depend on a tree or structure for support.  A climbing rose is a sprawling vine.  You will have to tie the vine to the arbor or pergola to help it climb up and over them.

Tendrils

Tendrils are small diameter stems that twist around anything they touch to hold the vine up.  Once the tendrils are around something, they tighten up to pull the vine closer to the structure.  Tendrils are not as destructive to buildings as clinging vines are. 

Twining

Twining vines wrap the whole stem around a structure to climb it.  They grow best around arbors, trellises, and poles.

Choosing the Vine

Before choosing a vine, you need to know how much sun your arbor or pergola gets.  Most flowering vines need full sun to bloom the best.  Some tolerate partial shade, but will not flower as much as they do in the sun.  Here are some suggestions for good vines to cover an arbor or pergola.

Trumpet Vine

Trumpet Vine

The vigorous growth of clinging vines like trumpet vine is an advantage when picking a vine to cover an arbor or pergola.  Trumpet vines grow to be 30-40 feet long.  The orange flowers attract hummingbirds to your garden.  Deer and rabbits will eat the foliage and flowers.  Trumpet vine is native to the central and eastern United States.  These vines do self-seed and also spread by rhizomes, so you will have to mow or cut down volunteer vines.  Don’t worry about caterpillars on your trumpet vine.  They belong to the plebeian sphinx moth.  Once established, trumpet vines are moderately resistant to deer, heat, and drought.

Virginia Creeper

Virginia Creeper

Virginia creeper is native to eastern North America, including Mexico.  A vigorous plant, Virginia creeper will grow to 30-50 feet.  It is deciduous and the leaves turn flame red in the fall.  The flowers are small and inconspicuous but attract bees to the vine.  The blue fleshy fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.  The fruit is very poisonous to humans, so don’t use this plant if you have small children.  After it is established, Virginia creeper is resistant to deer, drought, and heat.  It grows in a wide variety of soils.

Wisteria

Wisteria

American wisteria, the kind we carry, is less aggressive than varieties from China and Japan.  It is native to central and eastern North America from Virginia and Illinois south to Florida and Texas.  The lavender blooms attract butterflies and bees.  Wisteria is a host plant for the caterpillars of the Zarucco Duskywing and Long-Tailed Skipper butterflies.  It grows 15-40 feet tall.  American wisteria is deciduous, and the leaves turn gold and red in the fall.  The seed pods are poisonous to horses, cats, dogs, and people.  Wisteria is heat, drought, and deer resistant once established.

Don’t Use Invasive Vines

Invasive vines are those that will grow in an area and take over other plants.  Make sure you use vines native to the area you live in, so you do not plant something that causes environmental problems.  Remember kudzu, brought over for use in erosion control, has taken over in areas of Florida and Georgia.  They have to spend millions of dollars to control it.

Training the Vine

Many vines have to be trained to grow on an arbor or pergola.  Use stretchy floral tape to tie the stem of the vine to the arbor.  Do not use wire or string.  These will eventually strangle the vine and kill it.  You can wind the stem around the arbor or tie it to the top surface, depending on how you want it to grow.

Pruning Vines

Vines tend to be vigorous growers, so need pruning to keep them from taking over your garden.  Mowing or cutting suckers and volunteer vines will prevent them from forming a dense thicket.  In general, prune vines in early spring before growth begins.  However, if the vine is spring flowering, prune after the blooms are done.  Remove dead branches and broken or diseased areas.  Branches that rub or interfere with another branch should be cut back below the point of interference.  Prune the top third of overgrown vines.  If you have a vine that is in decline, prune the top third of it to stimulate growth.

Growing Tips

Here are some tips for growing strong vines that keep your arbor or pergola covered and shady.

  • Water the vine the first year after it is transplanted. After that, gradually reduce the frequency of watering to once a week.  If the vine is native to your area, it probably only needs watering during droughts once it is established.
  • Some vines take two or three years to start blooming, so be patient. Concentrate on growing healthy foliage and stems during this time.
  • Vines can be fertilized in early spring when they begin new growth with a cup of 5-10-5 worked into the soil around the vine. If your soil test shows a high phosphorus content, use only nitrogen to fertilize the vine.
  • Remember that mature vines are heavy. Make sure any structure you train your vines to cover can support the weight of the mature vine.

We Sell Vines

TN Nursery sells bare root vines that are perfect for arbors and pergolas.  Give our friendly staff a call at 931.692.7325 and we can answer any questions you might have and suggest the right vine for your structure.

Products from the article

Trumpet Vine - TN Nursery

Trumpet Vine

Trumpet Vine - Campsis Radicans Trumpet Vine is a vigorous, deciduous woody plant known for its showy, trumpet-shaped orange or red flowers and ability to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It is a popular choice for covering fences and trellises. When integrated into landscaping projects, it offers many benefits, such as enhancing outdoor spaces' visual allure, ecological diversity, and functionality. This deciduous woody plant presents unique qualities that contribute to various dimensions of landscape design. One of the standout benefits of using it in landscaping is its striking floral display. They have their place in any yard, and some produce stunning flowers that are pretty hard to ignore.  Also known as the creeper, these gorgeous plants have a wide range of purposes some may forget. Here's what these unique plants have to offer that you'll be sure to love. The Spectacular Flower Display Of Trumpet Vine  They produce a fabulous flower show that begins in May and lasts until about August. As the name suggests, these flowers burst out of the foliage and announce themselves with a dazzling red-orange display that coats almost all of them. No matter where they're growing, they will catch your attention once they're ready to make themselves known. Trumpet Vines Offer Vertical Decor  Finding the right plants for vertical decor can be difficult, and not everyone wants to fill their spaces with hanging plants or pots attached to the wall. This is where they come in. These gorgeous flowers easily climb up vertical decor-like trellises to provide the coverage you're looking for. They are highly durable and will increase, making them the perfect plan for those looking to cover specific areas fast without worrying too much about making mistakes that put them at risk.  This Native Perennial Offers Erosion Control Planting Trumpet Vine can be an excellent way to reduce soil erosion, especially in sloped areas where you're concerned about the stability of particular objects or other plants. They create networks of roots that keep soil in place. They also offer different benefits for your yard, like attracting essential pollinators such as birds and butterflies and acting as a space where ants can build a habitat. If you want a plant that provides a host of benefits to the surrounding area, consider this one.
From $8.99
From $8.99
Virginia Creeper - TN Nursery

Virginia Creeper

Virginia Creeper - Parthenocissus Quinquefolia Virginia Creeper plant is a vining favorite known for its striking five-lobed leaves and ability to climb and cover walls and structures, turning vibrant shades of red in the fall. It is a versatile and attractive plant with numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping projects. It has become famous for enhancing outdoor spaces with its vibrancy. It is part of the grape family. It gains its name from one of the native areas where it grows. It is a deciduous climber that can extend and climb a trellis well in the wild. The Leaves Of Virginia Creeper Typically, five leaflets combine to make up each set of leaves. Occasionally, however, it can be found with three or seven leaflets. Either way, they're joined on the leafstalk's central point and grow from one to eight inches. They have a bright green appearance in summer, then turn into brilliant shades of red and purple in autumn. Each leaflet has a toothed margin, and the seedlings come with heart-shaped leaves. Late spring brings with it inconspicuous flower clusters. They brighten this plant with their greenish, small appearance. However, they only become more noticeable once they turn into berries. The Berries Of The Virginia Creeper Berries grow on it in the late summer or early fall. These complex, small berries are purplish-black and typically don't get larger than 1/4 inch in diameter. Although the berries are not meant for humans, they offer an excellent food source to birds. In fact, due to the long lifespan of the berries, they become a vital source of winter food for a wide array of birds. It Will Climb As Tall As You Want While it's true that it can grow to astronomical heights in the wild, that's not going to happen when you plant them around your home. Instead, their growth rate is limited by the structure that they're given to grow on. In other words, if you want them to grow up to only three feet, give them something three feet tall to climb. On the other hand, if you want them to soar up to 40 feet, you'll need to provide them with something that tall to climb. This height control method is a fantastic way to end up with them that do precisely what you want them to do. Something that helps set creepers apart is that they will not damage your building. Therefore, these deciduous climbers will work great in your yard. Where does it grow best? It is adapted to a wide range of climate conditions but thrives well in well-drained, partial-shade to full-sun areas. It is suitable for planting on walls, fences, and along trellises.  What is the lifespan of them? It is an entender evergreen vine that requires little attention and can live for decades if correctly maintained. It is a fast-growing plant and can, therefore, be used for landscaping and as ground cover vegetation.  What are some interesting facts about this perennial? It is grown for its brilliant scarlet color during the autumn, which gives character to the garden.  Do they lose their leaves? It is a deciduous vine, which means that it sheds its leaves during the last quarter of the year.  How long does it take to grow? Virginia creeper is a very fast-growing vine of its family and can reach a height of 3 to 5 feet per year, more so when the conditions are favorable. In a few years, it can expand over vast areas, thus making it ideal for the development of green walls or as a ground cover.
From $8.99
From $8.99
Trumpet Vine - TN Nursery

Trumpet Vine

Trumpet Vine - Campsis Radicans Trumpet Vine is a vigorous, deciduous woody plant known for its showy, trumpet-shaped orange or red flowers and ability to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It is a popular choice for covering fences and trellises. When integrated into landscaping projects, it offers many benefits, such as enhancing outdoor spaces' visual allure, ecological diversity, and functionality. This deciduous woody plant presents unique qualities that contribute to various dimensions of landscape design. One of the standout benefits of using it in landscaping is its striking floral display. They have their place in any yard, and some produce stunning flowers that are pretty hard to ignore.  Also known as the creeper, these gorgeous plants have a wide range of purposes some may forget. Here's what these unique plants have to offer that you'll be sure to love. The Spectacular Flower Display Of Trumpet Vine  They produce a fabulous flower show that begins in May and lasts until about August. As the name suggests, these flowers burst out of the foliage and announce themselves with a dazzling red-orange display that coats almost all of them. No matter where they're growing, they will catch your attention once they're ready to make themselves known. Trumpet Vines Offer Vertical Decor  Finding the right plants for vertical decor can be difficult, and not everyone wants to fill their spaces with hanging plants or pots attached to the wall. This is where they come in. These gorgeous flowers easily climb up vertical decor-like trellises to provide the coverage you're looking for. They are highly durable and will increase, making them the perfect plan for those looking to cover specific areas fast without worrying too much about making mistakes that put them at risk.  This Native Perennial Offers Erosion Control Planting Trumpet Vine can be an excellent way to reduce soil erosion, especially in sloped areas where you're concerned about the stability of particular objects or other plants. They create networks of roots that keep soil in place. They also offer different benefits for your yard, like attracting essential pollinators such as birds and butterflies and acting as a space where ants can build a habitat. If you want a plant that provides a host of benefits to the surrounding area, consider this one.
From $8.99
From $8.99
Virginia Creeper - TN Nursery

Virginia Creeper

Virginia Creeper - Parthenocissus Quinquefolia Virginia Creeper plant is a vining favorite known for its striking five-lobed leaves and ability to climb and cover walls and structures, turning vibrant shades of red in the fall. It is a versatile and attractive plant with numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping projects. It has become famous for enhancing outdoor spaces with its vibrancy. It is part of the grape family. It gains its name from one of the native areas where it grows. It is a deciduous climber that can extend and climb a trellis well in the wild. The Leaves Of Virginia Creeper Typically, five leaflets combine to make up each set of leaves. Occasionally, however, it can be found with three or seven leaflets. Either way, they're joined on the leafstalk's central point and grow from one to eight inches. They have a bright green appearance in summer, then turn into brilliant shades of red and purple in autumn. Each leaflet has a toothed margin, and the seedlings come with heart-shaped leaves. Late spring brings with it inconspicuous flower clusters. They brighten this plant with their greenish, small appearance. However, they only become more noticeable once they turn into berries. The Berries Of The Virginia Creeper Berries grow on it in the late summer or early fall. These complex, small berries are purplish-black and typically don't get larger than 1/4 inch in diameter. Although the berries are not meant for humans, they offer an excellent food source to birds. In fact, due to the long lifespan of the berries, they become a vital source of winter food for a wide array of birds. It Will Climb As Tall As You Want While it's true that it can grow to astronomical heights in the wild, that's not going to happen when you plant them around your home. Instead, their growth rate is limited by the structure that they're given to grow on. In other words, if you want them to grow up to only three feet, give them something three feet tall to climb. On the other hand, if you want them to soar up to 40 feet, you'll need to provide them with something that tall to climb. This height control method is a fantastic way to end up with them that do precisely what you want them to do. Something that helps set creepers apart is that they will not damage your building. Therefore, these deciduous climbers will work great in your yard. Where does it grow best? It is adapted to a wide range of climate conditions but thrives well in well-drained, partial-shade to full-sun areas. It is suitable for planting on walls, fences, and along trellises.  What is the lifespan of them? It is an entender evergreen vine that requires little attention and can live for decades if correctly maintained. It is a fast-growing plant and can, therefore, be used for landscaping and as ground cover vegetation.  What are some interesting facts about this perennial? It is grown for its brilliant scarlet color during the autumn, which gives character to the garden.  Do they lose their leaves? It is a deciduous vine, which means that it sheds its leaves during the last quarter of the year.  How long does it take to grow? Virginia creeper is a very fast-growing vine of its family and can reach a height of 3 to 5 feet per year, more so when the conditions are favorable. In a few years, it can expand over vast areas, thus making it ideal for the development of green walls or as a ground cover.
From $8.99
From $8.99
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