What can I grow on a pergola in the desert southwest?

Elaine Simmons
by Elaine Simmons
We have an extended patio in our AZ home with a pergola above it. We would like to grow something up the wooden supports but don't know what would grow well here in southern AZ. I bought a lilac vine but it only grows to 10 feet so planted it elsewhere. Any suggestions? I don't have an actual picture of just the pergola but you can see by the posts how large it is.
  11 answers
  • Judy Judy on Jun 03, 2014
    Google it - found several that will grow in Arizona, wisteria, lilac, trumpet..Good luck, I'm sure it will be beautiful when grown on the pergola.
  • Michele Eures Michele Eures on Jun 03, 2014
    This is going to sound crazy, but maybe you can fill in with silk flower vines if you have a problem with water and dryness for real plants. See? I told you it would sound crazy.
  • Ann Peters Ann Peters on Jun 03, 2014
    Check out Bougainvilla. It will grow in the sub- tropics, so it might grow there if you can water it.
  • Elaine Simmons Elaine Simmons on Jun 03, 2014
    Thanks everyone, I already have a bouganvillea so was looking for something different. I no more posted this and Douglas Hunt posted a plant to use for a pergola called a "Crossvine". I am going to try that. We have a local nursery who carries it.
  • Diane Sterling Diane Sterling on Jun 08, 2014
    I had bougainvillea in Tucson. It grows very well and comes in various pinks, coral, lilac, etc. drought tolerant.
  • Elaine Simmons Elaine Simmons on Jun 08, 2014
    Thanks Diane but I already have a boug.......a couple of them. I was looking for something different. Doug Hunter suggested a Crossvine so that is what we planted.
  • Lissa Lehman Lissa Lehman on Mar 17, 2015
    The best choice for your idea is Cat's Claw, Bougainvilla already mentions and honeysuckle. Cat's Claw will attach on its own and will spread nicely. Now is a good time to buy then as well. If you use the bougainvilla, you can shape it as it grows. Be sure to buy a bougainvilla already started in a vine shape. New bougainvilla plants shaped in a bush shape aren't the best choice for what you want to do. Honeysuckle grows fast but you'll need a support up the posts to help it grow up. You could use a trellis or even chicken wire. And honeysuckle smells so good! I live in Tucson Arizona and have planted all 3 of these plants so I'm familiar with how you they grow. Cat's Claw puts out a very pretty yellow bloom when they mature. Have fun!
  • Lissa Lehman Lissa Lehman on Mar 17, 2015
    By the way, you have a lovely patio. I just got married and my new husband's house need a lot of work! LOL! His patio is so ugly! I'm on here looking for ideas. Hope it will eventually look as nice as yours!
  • Elaine Simmons Elaine Simmons on Mar 17, 2015
    I have moved since I posted that. The house is for sale......Do you or anyone else want to buy it? LOL
  • Lissa Lehman Lissa Lehman on Mar 18, 2015
    Gosh, I wish I did? I'm sure it's a nice place with a great patio like that. Best of luck on selling it!
  • Elaine Simmons Elaine Simmons on Mar 18, 2015
    Thanks Lissa!