I have a pergola, and have 2 wisterias at either end. These have been planted for 2 years but don't seem to be going anywhere. Can you recommend anything that is fast growing that would help to cover the pergola quite quickly. Wisteria  |
Wisteria is a rapid grower once it becomes established. The secret is to purchase plants that are pot-grown so there is no root disturbance when it is planted. Wisteria is considered by many as the most beautiful of all the flowereing vines. It needs full sun, an out of the wind location and prefers a rich, fertile, loamy, well-drained moist soil.
This is a list of other rapid growing vines that can be used to cover a pergola. Some of the following are only foliage plants with inconspicuous flowers. It depends on the species as to the hardiness of the plant. For example, not all Clematis species are hardy in zone 2.
| Perennials | Botanical Name | Type | Zone |
| Virginia Creeper | Parthenocissus quinquefolia | foliage | 2 - 9 |
| English Ivy | Hedera helix | foliage | 5 - 10 |
| Chocolate Vine | Akebia quinata | flowers | 4 - 10 |
| Dutchman's Pipe | Aristolochia macrophylla | both | 4 - 7 |
| Dutchman's Pipe | A. durior | both | 5 - 8 |
| Silver Vine | Actinidia polygama | both | 5 - 10 |
| Porcelain Ampelopsis | Ampelopsis brevipedunculata | berries | 5 - 10 |
| American Bittersweet | Celastrus scandens | berries | 3 - 9 |
| Oriental Bittersweet | Celastrus orbiculatus | berries | 5 - 9 |
| Henry Honeysuckle | Lonicera henryi | flowers | 5 - 10 |
| Clematis | Clematis species | flowers | 2 - 9 |
| Annuals | Botanical Name | Type |
| Morning Glory | Ipomea tricolor | flowers |
| Cup and Saucer Vine | Cobaea scandens | flowers |
| Hyacinth Bean | Dolichos lablab | flowers |
| Scarlet runner Bean | Phaseolus coccineus | flowers |
| Potato Vine | Solanum jasminoides | flowers |
| Moon Flower | Ipomea alba | flowers |
