We are just about finished building a 16' x 14' pergola with a ground level deck underneath it. It's quite large and I'd like to plant perennials at its entrance as well as around the sides to make it look more cozy and that it blends in to the rest of the backyard.
What types of perennials would you suggest. I'm thinking of some ornamental grasses but don't know if they should go towards the front or the sides of the pergola. I eventually would like the plants to create some privacy, although we'll have sheer-type flowing curtains that can be pulled closed.
Thanks!
Comment Guidelines
We welcome your feedback on Houseandhome.com. H&H reserves the right to remove any unsuitable personal remarks made about the bloggers, hosts, homeowners and/or guests we feature. Please keep your comments focused on decorating, design, cooking and other lifestyle topics. Adopt a tone you would be willing to use in person and do not make slanderous remarks or use denigrating language. If you see a comment that you believe violates any of the guidelines outlined above, please click “Alert a Moderator.” Thank you.
Hi Lisi,
I finally found your pictures and they are beautiful! It looks very cozy! I recognize most of your plants and flowers and they look great! I will certainly be posting a picture of our pergola as soon as my husband has fnished building it. He's done with the pergola and now he's working on the ground level deck that goes underneath it. Lastly he will be building a lattice for the back part of it with 2"x2"s. So, I would say in a week or so you should see some pictures.
Thanks for your response!!!
Hi. Hope you found my pictures. My husband built the pergola last year after we moved in the house. It serves mainly to hang up our hanging baskets. We had an other one at the old place where we grew grapes on it, it was a different type of pergola, attached to a small outside building. I liked it very much nice , shady sitting area and all the grapes growing around you. The one we have now has a clematis growing. Under the structure we made rock gardens with evergreens , mugo pine, golden euonymus, emerald gaiety euonymus and ivy. All those plants are already getting too big for the area and need to be thinned out or transplanted. I also keep several pots with annuals or herbs under the pergola and leaf themed stepping stones.
BC
Thanks Foxxy! I'll go take a look :)
there are many types of vines you could plant to climb and offer shade and some flowers like clematis, climbing roses and honeysuckle etc. I would think any good nursery can provide you with info on various vines for what you need in sun or shade.
I posted address in D&D for Zula.
Foxxy, you had mentioned that Lisi has an album with pics of her pergola- where can I find those? I've searched for them but no pics were attached...thanks!
With the variety of plants available these days, choosing for a new garden is so difficult. Once you have determined the amount of sun your location will get...then just stick with those which will thrive in that environment. Secondly, I choose something for each season, so I don't have a "dull" moment. I don't know how big a garden you have beside the entrance area..but I have seen a beautiful clematis which has a varigated euyonamous planted at its base (low spreading). In the spring there is an assortment of hyacinths, tulips and daffadils. This has been planted around the base of a lamp post outside a doctor's office in our town...I notice people always slow down when driving past...it is really beautiful. Other perennials would fit in there as well...Lavender (my favourite) planted around the bottom steps to my deck...look for the "perennial type" which is very tall and grassy ...I have made the mistake of buying the annual variety which is nice in pots but is shorter, more blooms, but not hardy. I hope this gives you an idea or two.
I think Lisi has some pic in her garden Album of her pergola and the plants. Maybe not all perennials though. Check out her garden album.
I would think you could plant taller where you want more privacy and shorter in other areas around it. Also some in large pots is pretty.
I guess you will have some shade and some sun areas so that will determine also what you plant.