climber for pergola

[PumpingRSI]

we had a pergola put in last year and either side of it I have two deep tubs with the hope that I would grow climbers up and over pergola. It is south / south east facing and I put a jasmine in one and clematis in other. The jasmine has taken an age to establish, small leaves and flowers, got as far as top if pergola but won't cross it (sticks up in stragely form) and clematis in other that has died over winter but never really got higher than 1-2m. I wanted something over pergola to be pretty and provide some shade. Any better ideas? Do I need a more rampant clematis? or something more substantial like a vine? Should I leave jasmine in and hope eventually it will cross the pergola and not just be wispy and stick up and out all over the place. I had an idea of a more Mediterranean secluded corner and it's not looking anything like it 2 years on! thanks

I think your problem may be the pots. It's hard for plants to get enough water and nutrients in a pot to grow really big. If you can plant in the soil it may work better. Alternatively, get a really, REALLY big pot and be prepared to water, feed and minister to its needs all summer.

You could go for one of the rampant clematises (a montana variety), but be aware that it will look dead for most of the winter. I'd suggest something evergreen instead with great-smelling flowers like a trachylospermum. Or maybe, if you're a dab hand at pruning, a wisteria.

It will probably take a plant a few years to cover a pergola if it's a substantial size, so some patience will be needed, or some financial investment to buy a really huge and well-established plant. However, I do think that's a bit of a waste of cash when you can buy a smaller one and just wait a few more months.

BTW, your clematis might not be dead - it just might not be ready to emerge from hibernation yet!

Clematis armandii might be another option.

Oh, and if you're desperate to cover it quickly, consider setting off several plants, one at each corner.

Sorry for the bitty posts!

thank you. it's concrete under decking so no chance if planting directly. pots are pretty big (60cm tall x 40cm wide). clematis Def a goner as it's such a protected spot that it stays in leaf over winter but has been dead looking for a couple if months now. will Google your suggestions. wasn't keen on wisteria as not exactly light and easy but perhaps it's the solution I need.

If you're looking for a low-maintenance option, ignore wisteria!

I think a 60 x 40 m pot would only be big enough for one of the more mannerly clematises, that grow daintily up an obelisk for a bit and then stop - which is exactly what your climbers have done. If you want something more rampant, something that you're expecting to get to a length of dozens of feet and clamber all over the place, then you need to give it more soil I think! By a big pot, I mean something HUGE, which will likely be very expensive.

(But don't trust my word on it - others will chip in).

The alternative would be to plant the vine where you do have soil and then train it towards the pergola, across a bit of your house if necessary.