Living and growing greenery can also soften a structure.

Know that these vines are easy to grow, like full sun, and are drought tolerant once established.

A bonus: some produce pretty, colorful flowers, and a pleasant fragrance.

Wisteria vines with white flowers hanging over pergola

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

This vine can grow quickly, depending on the variety.

If training on an outdoor structure, tie shoots to strong support to avoid wind damage.

jasminoidesgrows quickly and produces white flowers with pink throats that bloom from late spring to early fall.

Bougainvillea on arbor and house.

Lisa H. Taylor

One variety, ‘Deep Pink Form,’ is fragrant.

It prefers regular water.

Once established, it quickly becomes a vine with shiny dark green leaflets.

Bower vine with white and pink flowers closeup

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

TheCape honeysucklerequires little water and withstands both wind and salt.

Its compact flowers appear from fall into spring (in warmer climates).

Leaves are shiny and light green and attached to long branches that grow in different directions.

Tecoma capensis in the garden.

liuyushan / Getty Images

Yellow flowers are trumpet-shaped and fragrant.

Thechocolate vinebears edible fruit that looks like a long, purplish sausage.

Arbors, trellises, and pergolas help support this climber.

Yellow flowers on vine - Carolina jessamine - jasmine - Jasminum

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Clematis

Botanical name:Clematisspp.

Plant whereclematiscan climb up an arbor, pergola,trellis, or fence to support the stems.

Plant near shallow ground covers or plants that won’t compete for root and ground space.

Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) climbs on rails.

Anne Green-Armytage/Getty Images

Climbing Roses

Botanical name:Rosaspp.

The more moderate climbers are ideal for pergolas and arbors.

Besides being beautiful, some have intoxicating scents.

Blue clematis climbing on pink fence.

Peter Anderson (c) Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images

Climbing roses are easy to grow and care for, especially once established.

Prune, water, feed regularly, anddeadhead bloomsto encourage more flowers.

Everyone is taking advantage of the climate and soil togrow grapesand make wine.

Rose-covered arbor with benches.

Jerry Pavia/Getty Images

Grape-growing for wine-making is not just growing a few vines and making wine in the basement.

While wine grape varieties prefer a Mediterranean climate, they aren’t limited to those regions.

Grapevines need support, and a pergola or arbor provides the perfect framework for them to climb and thrive.

Okanagan Red Wine Grapes

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The flowers pop up in summer and are fragrant.

Its funnel-shaped flowers are fragrant and open at night or on overcast days.

This plant needs heat to bloom.

honeysuckle flower

charocastro/Getty Images

Passion Flower

Botanical name:Passifloraspp.

Apassionflower vinewill attach to the structure, such as a pergola or arbor, when provided support.

Passionflowers tolerate most soils but like regular water and sun with dappled shade for optimum growing performance.

Datura or Moonflower closeup.

© Viktor Kintop / Getty Images

The flowers have different colored centers and all kinds of variations.

Some species are fragrant.

Blue passionflower (Passiflora caerulea), pictured, bears edible fruits (maypops).

Beautiful white passion flower with fruits.

Neil Holmes/Getty Images

Wait until the fruit is fully ripe before eating.

In warmer climates, it blooms from late winter through spring, but flowers can appear throughout the year.

Once established, it will grow in other regions as well and is drought tolerant.

Pink jasmine (Jasminium laurifolium or J. polyanthum).

JenD/Getty Images

A fast grower, it can quickly reach 40 feet.

Tubular flowers bloom throughout the summer months.

This plant is also sometimes called trumpet honeysuckle.

Campsis radicans / Trumpet creeper / Trumpet vine

Photos from Japan, Asia and othe of the world / Getty Images

Some varieties, such as ‘Cedar Lane,’ are vigorous growers.

Cut back or pinch long streamers and side stems and tie the stem to a stake or arbor.

Once established, prune it regularly in summer to keep it growing to your needs.

Trumpet honeysuckle vines hanging by walkway with orange flowers

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

This plant’s greatest downside is these cool-season blooms stop producing flowers in sweltering, high heat.

Sweet peas do not produce edible pods; this plant is toxic to humans and pets.

These floral firecrackers develop a floral progression from yellow to orange to red.

Wisteria vines with purple and pink blossoms hanging

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

This fast-growing vine is a tropical plant only returning in zones 10 and 11.

It will die when frost arrives.

Replant it every year for a show of beautiful annual blooms.

Climbing Hydrangea on House

Perry Mastrovito / Design Pics / Getty Images

These plants are closely related to morning glory and sweet potato vines.

Mandevilla

MediaNews Group / Getty Images

Botanical name:Mandevillaspp.

Plant this vine annually in late spring once frosty temps have passed.

Sweet Pea (Lathyrus spp.)

Michael Boys / Getty Images

The best plants for an arbor depend on your intent.

If you’re after more foliage and shade, consider Virginia creeper or ivy.

Classic vines that are among the best to use on an arbor include clematis, bougainvillea, and wisteria.

Firecracker Vine (Ipomoea lobata)

Ed Reschke / Getty Images

North Carolina State University Extension.

Virginia creeper and wisteria toxicity.

National Capital Poison Center.

Virginia Creeper on a fence

The Spruce / Autumn Wood

red mandevilla flowers growing on a trellis

MediaNews Group / Getty Images