Which vine / climber do I need?

[LaTrucha]

In our new garden there is a wooden construction at the back. It looks like it's been built to have a climber up it, but has none. Anyway, one would be nice.

It has four wooden upright supprts, two of which are buried in the lawn, two in concrete patio area. At the top it has about 6 wooden slats, at intervals.

Last year I bought a honeysuckle but it hasn't really done the job. It's grown a bit, but at the rate it has, we'd have to be here many years before we get any coverage.

What would go quickly but not be too aggressive like a Russian vine or knotweed.

I'm reluctant to have ivy as it backs on to a brick wall. I think a virginia creeper is too big.

We live very near the sea and the garden is quite qindy. We're in West Wales, so it's rainy too.

Also, is one pole really enough for a climber to go up? Or do we need some trellis there (which would look a bit odd).

So, what would you suggest? I am being tempted by a grape vine they have in our local garden centre as it is already sizeable but I know it's the wrong time of year to plant it out and probably lunacy to do it in coastal West Wales anyway.

I'd like something to look like 'something' fairly sharpish.

[SOLOisMeredithGrey]

What about a Passionflower? grow quickly and cover well...very pretty flowers too!

[LaTrucha]

Hmm. I hadn't thought of that. Do you think it would mind the wind?

[Pannacotta]

I think a vine would be good and woudl cover the quickest.
Purple leaved vines look lovely, you coudl plant one of these, as well as a fruiting vine if you wanted?

Some info on here:
www.blueworldgardener.co.uk/buildings/pergola_planting.html

[LaTrucha]

Thanks Pannacotta - and from your link I've discovered that what I have is a pergola!

I did go for the grape vine. I was in the garden centre looking for a fig tree and they were on an offer together, so a little corner of my garden is deeply Mediterranean this afternoon.

I was looking for a passion flower but they didn't have one.

I haven't planted it yet as I'm a bit spooked by descriptions I've read of training it. It's already about 4-5 foot tall, and all the advice seems to be for in winter and involves cutting it down to a few inches - which I don't want to do right now because it's lush and lovely!

[LaTrucha]

I have a climbing rose that I inherited when we bought the house. It's a bit sad and spindly and I don't like the colour. I'm in two minds wheter to chuck it or grow it up the pergola too.

[Pannacotta]

WHat colour is the rose, are the flowers scented? Would you feel ok with it if it was healthy and flowering?
ROses can look amazing over a pergola, but its worth working out if there is room for it without you getting caught by thorns (unless it is one of the nearly thorn free types).

[SOLOisMeredithGrey]

LaTruncha, see if you can find someone that already has a passiflora and pinch a few of the new shoots that are sprouting from the ground near the main part, just dig them up. They take really easily and if you do it this way, it'll cost you nothing.

Mine are exposed and grow anyway! so I think wind exposure shouldn't be a problem.

Agree with Panna too! climbing roses up a pergola look lovely! you just need to keep them trained.

[LaTrucha]

That's a good tip about the passiflora, thanks.

And a good tip about the thorns too Pannacotta. My problem withthe rose is the colour. It is bright yellow (no problem there) with an orange centre (not my cup of tea).