If your pergola or arbor feels a little bare or uninspired, here’s a quick fix: climbing plants. With the right vines, you can turn simple wood structures into show-stopping focal points that overflow with greenery and blooms. They bring shade, color, fragrance—and a touch of magic—to any outdoor space. Whether you’re after vibrant flowers, fast coverage, or year-round beauty, these 10 lush climbing plants are perfect for dressing up your pergola or arbor.
Let’s dive in.
1. Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis or Wisteria floribunda)
Why you’ll love it:
Wisteria is a jaw-dropper. Its long, cascading clusters of purple, blue, or white flowers look like something out of a fairy tale. Once established, it covers a pergola quickly with dense, romantic foliage.
Growing Tips:
- Full sun
- Strong support is a must—wisteria gets heavy
- Prune twice a year to control growth and encourage blooms
2. Clematis (Clematis spp.)
Why you’ll love it:
With over 300 varieties, clematis offers flowers in nearly every shade imaginable—from soft pastels to bold purples. Some bloom in spring, others in summer or fall, making it easy to enjoy color nearly year-round.
Growing Tips:
- Needs full sun to part shade
- Likes cool roots, so mulch well
- Pair with a climbing rose or honeysuckle for a layered effect
3. Climbing Roses (Rosa spp.)
Why you’ll love it:
Classic and timeless, climbing roses bring fragrance and romance in spades. They can cover a pergola with elegant blooms and glossy green foliage.
Growing Tips:
- Full sun
- Choose disease-resistant varieties
- Train them with ties or trellising for full coverage
4. Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
Why you’ll love it:
Honeysuckle smells amazing and draws in pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. It’s a fast grower and thrives in a variety of climates.
Growing Tips:
- Full sun to part shade
- Can grow a bit wild—prune regularly
- Best in well-drained soil
5. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
Why you’ll love it:
This bold vine produces large, trumpet-shaped orange or red blooms that are a magnet for hummingbirds. It’s a powerhouse when it comes to coverage and blooms all summer long.
Growing Tips:
- Full sun
- Needs sturdy support and regular pruning
- Can be aggressive—great for large spaces
6. Jasmine (Jasminum spp.)
Why you’ll love it:
Jasmine fills the air with sweet, intoxicating fragrance and delicate white or yellow blooms. It’s a favorite for creating a sensory-rich garden escape.
Growing Tips:
- Full sun to part shade
- Needs protection from harsh frost
- Ideal for warm or tropical zones
7. Passionflower (Passiflora spp.)
Why you’ll love it:
Exotic and unique, passionflowers look like alien masterpieces. They offer fast growth and add an adventurous flair to any garden structure.
Growing Tips:
- Full sun
- Prefers moist, well-drained soil
- In cooler climates, grow as an annual or overwinter in pots
8. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)
Why you’ll love it:
This tropical beauty bursts with bright pink, red, purple, or orange bracts. It thrives in hot climates and delivers nonstop color.
Growing Tips:
- Full sun
- Needs a frost-free climate or winter protection
- Prune to control shape and size
9. Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.)
Why you’ll love it:
Looking for quick, cheerful coverage? Morning glory grows fast and puts out tons of colorful trumpet-shaped blooms that open with the sun.
Growing Tips:
- Full sun
- Annual in most climates—reseed each year
- Best on light, open trellises
10. Evergreen Clematis (Clematis armandii)
Why you’ll love it:
Want year-round greenery and spring blooms? Evergreen clematis delivers both. Its glossy leaves look beautiful even in winter, and it bursts into white, star-shaped flowers in early spring.
Growing Tips:
- Part shade to full sun
- Likes a sheltered spot
- Ideal for mild climates
How to Train Climbing Plants on Pergolas and Arbors
To get the lush, cascading effect you’re after, make sure to:
- Secure early growth with garden twine, clips, or soft ties
- Prune regularly to shape and encourage flowering
- Water and feed during active growth to support vigorous vines
- Check weight limits—some vines get very heavy
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a grand landscape to create an outdoor haven—just a pergola, some sunshine, and a few well-chosen climbers. These lush climbing plants bring life, shade, color, and charm to your garden in a way that nothing else can. Whether you’re going for romantic wisteria drapes or a burst of trumpet vine color, there’s a perfect plant here for your pergola or arbor.
So go ahead—plant one, or mix a few! Before long, you’ll be sipping tea under a blooming canopy that feels like your own slice of paradise.
