No Fuchsias have tendrils and thus are self clinging. The one at Penrhyn Castle gardens (beautiful place) are carefully tied in, a long and tedious process. So if you want one over a Pergola be prepared for some time spent with a ball of soft twine and a pair of scissors.

F. magellanica is a beautiful plant, but it forms a bush, and in a sheltered area, gets pretty large. As Owdboggy says, there are no fuchsias with tendrils for climbing - they're not climbers, whatever the advertising says!

Thank you so much for your informative answers re my query on Fuchsia Magellanica to cover a pergola. In view of what you say, that no fuchsias have tendrils, I shall opt for something else, with rather less work involved - hopefully ! Do you have any suggestions, please, in order to give a really good show of colour for my pergola ? It is beautifully constructed and is sited in a lovely, sunny position. I live in Greater London (Surrey).

I have already tried a few clematis plants, including Montana, but with disappointing results. So thought I would start again from scratch. Roses seem to grow very well in my garden, so maybe a climbing rose would be the answer ? Or perhaps Wisteria, which I love, although would the pruning of this be a trifle difficult ? I am now elderly and have no-one to help with my garden, so need to select with care.

I would value any suggestions. Thank you very much indeed.

Jacqueline

Unless it is a huge Pergola Clematis montana is not the right one to choose, it gets BIG.
Wisteria does need a lot of pruning, even though it is only twice a year.
Rose, well everyone knows my opinion of those. They do need tying in and they have thorns. Yucky things.
So, if your garden is not too cold how about a Passion flower?
If you decide on the Clematis, then go for something like one of the viticella types, they are cut to the ground in Februay and all the old top growth discarded.

How about Morning Glory as annnual plant for your pergola. They are a twining climber that is busy for a season and then can be pulled down quite easily once the stems have dried out. Just a thought .....rather than growing something that gets away from you when you are three years older than you are now!!!!! My neighbour grew them last summer and they were amazing

Very many thanks for your helpful suggestions. I think I shall go for either the Morning Glory or Passion flower to cover my pergola.

With sincere appreciation to you both.

Jacqueline

Another suggestion - as long as your garden isn't too exposed and particularly freezing - Trachleospermum jasminoides - evergreen, fragrant climber.