Type Of Ivy To Grow On My Pergola

Question

I live in Florida where it’s hot and humid most all the time and have a beautiful cedar pergola attached to the side of my house. I have included a picture for you to see. I want to grow some sort of ivy or plant that will climb and grow up the wood but don’t want one that will grow like wildfire and end up growing all over my roof as well. Also, I don’t want an Ivy that flowers and attracts bees because I somewhat remember that happening at my childhood home in NJ. Do you have a recommendation for what would be the best type of plant or Ivy to grow?

Answer 1

Another consideration I have found is that most vines need pruning, many twice a year and who wants to climb up high to prune them. And you may have to prune to keep it off your roof, like you say. Woody vines especially need pruning or they get very heavy and woody. Many vines are invasive as well.

For non-flowering vines, your choices are Boston ivy or English ivy, creeping fig, chestnut vine, or Virginia creeper, but they could be aggressive. For a slow growing vine think about coral vine, bougainvillea, or houseplant vines like vining philodendron. I grow coral vine and bougainvillea and don't see bees. I understand bees can't see the color red.

Here is more:

https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/vines.html
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/coral-honeysuckle.html
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/heartleaf-philodendron.html
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/bougainvillea.html

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/growing-drought-tolerant-vines.htm

https://news.ncsu.edu/2011/07/wms-what-bees-see/