10 Climbing Plants for Dense Shade

Shade in the outdoor space is not a luxury but a necessity, especially in the summer. Natural shading solutions with plants have more advantages as they have the ability to absorb solar radiation more effectively on the one hand and on the other hand, due to the moisture they emit, they create a more pleasant climate in the summer months.

Natural shade can be achieved in every yard and garden at home or in the country house with trees or climbing plants, as far as shade using trees is concerned, you can see our relevant article -> 10 trees suitable for garden and shade . In this article we will refer to 10 climbing plants that are best for dense shade with low requirements and an impressive appearance, as well as we will also recommend a pergola that can support them.

1. Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)

Wisteria is an impressive climbing plant that grows rapidly with woody shoots, has strongly fragrant flowers in clusters in spring or early summer, its leaves are rich and offer rich and cool shade in summer. Due to the strength and weight of the plant, it requires the corresponding sturdy pergola construction otherwise it can deform the weaker structures.

2. Grapevine (Vitis vinifera)

The traditional plant, the grapevine, that we all know, besides the wonderful grapes it offers in the summer months, can also provide one of the most pleasant shades. It is deciduous, which means that in winter it lets the sun pass through the yard while in summer it protects it. The shoots are flexible and grow quickly, they can be easily guided for faster shading in specific areas.

3. Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa)

A plant with very dense leaves, the kiwi has fast growth and very good shade. Fruiting in productive years requires a durable pergola construction with enough space due to the significant weight of the fruits if you want the fruits for consumption, otherwise they should be removed in the early stages.

4. Jasmine polyanthemum (Jasminum officials/polyanthum)

Jasmine is an aromatic plant with an intense, beautiful scent from white flowers. Its thin green shoots make it a lightweight plant. Its weight does not create a problem, so non-reinforced pergolas can be used.

5. Passiflora (Passiflora caerulea)

This particular plant is spectacular because of its exotic flowers and dynamic, rapid growth. It quickly covers gaps, so a pergola with enough space will cover it quite quickly. It prefers bright locations with plenty of sun.

6. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)

With bright colors and a variety of colors, bougainvillea is a fast-growing plant. It does not develop excessive weight with its shoots on the surface of the pergola, but it needs regular pruning so that it does not create problems with its growth in the construction of the pergola.

7. Ivy (Hedera helix)

An evergreen, compact, dense plant with a large mass of leaves, ivy can even be hooked onto vertical surfaces of the pergola. Due to its evergreen coverage and growth, a pergola that can withstand constant weight throughout the year is recommended.

8. Jasminoides (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

The sedge is an evergreen plant that is resistant to cold, durable with white fragrant flowers and glossy green leaves, it can easily fill gaps and withstands both sun and partial shade, with the difference that in partial shade it blooms less, its weight is not significant but not negligible either.

9. Clematis (Clematis spp.)

A more delicate plant, a plant with abundant flowering and ideal for aesthetic combinations, it is recommended for complementary coverage or decorative addition, for example, it can be combined with phlox or the grapevine, offering an impressive appearance and more complete shading. It does not have a lot of weight, but if combined, it requires a sturdy infrastructure.

10. Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Very vigorous in growth, fast-growing plant with a fairly intense aroma, the bicolor white-yellow flowers bloom from spring to early summer, although the shoots are flexible, the total mass of the vegetation is significant and requires stable support. The shade it offers is intense, making it the ideal choice for summer shade in living areas.

The combination of a quality and well-designed pergola and suitable plants can transform a living space both aesthetically and functionally due to shade, so natural shading is the solution whenever the investment is worth it.

🖊️ Article writer: Zaraidonis Emmanouil, PhD Candidate, Agricultural University of Athens