Building a pergola, climbing covers?

butterflygrooves

We are building a pergola today, 9x9 and I want to plant something at the base of the "legs" that will climb and eventually cover the top.  Any suggestions?

nitaw

Do you want the plant ot be evergreen or do you want it to die back in fall/winter?

butterflygrooves

We don't have harsh winters here so I don't know how much it would die back...  It's usually in the 50's during winter, no snow.  I was thinking something that will grow quickly and am ok with the leaves falling in the winter.

dirtyred

Do NOT get Wisteria.  DO NOT.  Yes, the pictures of it in bloom are lovely, but 1) many varieties are out-of-control growers, and 2) it can take up to 15 years before it will bloom for you.

Honeysuckle might be good; it can grow up to 50', smells good, and attracts birds and butterflies (if you like those).

Dutchman's pipe creates a heavy foliage mat, so you'd get good sun block.  The flowers are really cool looking (but stink), and it attracts swallowtail butterflies.

Mandeville is tropical; it might survive your winters, but I don't recall how tall it grows, so it may not be enough to cover your pergola.

butterflygrooves

Thanks dirty!  Wisteria was one of the first plants I eliminated because of it's insane growth.  We ended up going to a local nursey and getting professional advice.  They had a trellis covered in pink jasmine that was gorgeous and smelled wonderful.  We picked up 2 pink jasmine and have them sitting in our yard waiting to be planted.