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Instant foilage for a pergola
emma lou
Posts: 170
We have just built a pergola along the side of our house. As well as the climbers which we need to buy very soon we were wondering if it is possible to add instant foilage to the top of the pergola? As with all new pergolas they do need some instant colour and leafy foilage to help soften the topmof the pergola. We are planning on wisteria or grapevines for the vertical strutts. It is just getting some colour to the top. Thanks all.
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Hi Emma, I'm not sure what you mean about getting foliage at the top. The climbers you plant will eventually reach the top, and it's just a question of tying them in, or guiding them, appropriately as they grow, depending on what you've chosen.
The only other suggestion I have is that you attach some containers - troughs of some kind perhaps - to the top of the structure, with some annuals, grasses, ivies etc in them, which will drop down until your other planting grows. If you had sweet peas, they will actually grow up then drop down if they have no supports, giving a 'fountain' effect.
To be honest, I think I'd just wait for the climbers !
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes. It is the old thing patience.mI just wasn't sure if there was anyone who may of found a way of adding some plants higher up to soften the top whilst waiting for growth. I suppose hanging baskets are the key and try and soften the top that way.
Hanging baskets would certainly be another solution. I think the only issue at this time of year is that, unless you already have access to some that are already planted, or you have some annuals of your own, it might be tricky to find plants for them. I could probably still get annuals and bedding up here as we have later seasons, but it depends where you live and what is available in your area.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks all. We settled for a wisteria and a few other climbers including a jasmine. The wisteria should grown fairly quickly, It is a well established one at 2 metres so hopefully with plenty of sunshine
they should thrive.
Patience is something we all strive fro Emma - not sure we ever really achieve it!
I just reread your post though, and wondered whereabouts you live? Grapevines aren't normally grown outdoors very successfully in most of the UK - if anywhere. Just make sure whatever plants you decide on are hardy for the area and conditions you have. Jasmine isn't reliably hardy up here for instance, and wisteria can be tricky depending on location.
Don't want to see you spending your hard earned cash on something which will struggle and be disappointing for you.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...