plants for a pergola

Hi
I am currently having a pergola built with 4 planters one at each corner, 2 will get sun and I was planning to grow grape vines in them to cover some of the structure but the other 2 will get little sun can anyone suggest what I could plant in those that will grow in shade and go with the grape vines please.
Many Thanks

 

Hi Suzie, if you tell us which zone you live in, we can give you more accurate suggestions...

 

Of course sorry, I am based just outside Brighton on the south coast.

 

hi again - if you plan to put plants in a planter you have to consider that the roots will be compressed eventually and the plant might die. But if you change the soil and cut the roots every now and then, they could be allright.
You will have to place some branches/twigs firmly tied to the structure on its "roof"/ they will offer support to the climber and protection from the frost in winter and from the sun in summer.
As for plants you want something that provides enough coverage with the leaves but nothing too exuberant that suffocates other plants/ so for example different variety of lonifera japonica that doesn't mind the shadow or passiflora cerulea that can live in partial shadow...
lonicera japonica @ phoenixperennials.com

passiflora [email protected]

 

You not going to suggest a C. armandii then, Armandii?

 

Thanks for your help so far, I am a complete novice so this is great. The planters are about 2.5 feet deep and about a foot across we have had one built in each corner, also any advice on grape vine varieties to go in the to that get sun would be great thanks

 

Nice one Kristen Cracking idea....it's an evergreen Suzie with a mellow scented flower in late wintertime...glorious
I've got a 'thing' about hops but they need the sunny side google them and see what you think

 

I had a pergola running the length of my previous house (my garden was north facing, so it only got the sun on one half at sunrise and the other half at sunset). I adored sitting there. But, I would like to share one little drawback: those foliage covered beams (dark, shady, cool) became a magnet for snails!!! After just 2 years every beam was smothered in the things *shudders*.

Just saying

 

ok thanks again, I have read that I can plant the grape vines in autumn what about the C. armandii or other passiflora cerulea ?

 

If the plants will be in heavy shade, Clematis alpina, (there are lots of varieties, different colours and heights) does well. It's also happy in a container. You can plant clematis any time to be honest - but autumn and spring are good. Plant them a bit deeper than they were in the pot, (helps to avoid clematis wilt) They don't like to dry out, so will need watering in a container.

I'm not sure that the passion flower would do well in heavy shade?