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Growing up! How pergolas took Chelsea by storm in 2021

Vertical elements have found new prominence at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and they give plenty of inspiration for any size of garden

The 21st century is making its mark on what used to be seen as a rather static and traditional garden feature. Pergolas have been popular for more than a century – and at this year's Chelsea they seem to be getting quite the modern makeover.

Why have a pergola? As well as framing views, pergolas allow you to grow and display climbing plants to perfection – meaning you can really make the most of every inch of your outdoor space. By providing horizontals above ground level, they help concentrate the eye on what's in the garden.

Providing a sense of enclosure helps spaces feel more intimate and cosy too – perfect for modern living where so many of us crave privacy and a sense of security.

Swirling oak

Steam-bending is a technique that allows wood to be formed into beautiful curves
Blurring the lines between sculpture, seating and pergola, steam-bent oak has been used to make a series of striking features in The BBC One Show and RHS Garden of Hope. Bolted together and scarf-jointed, the green oak was sustainably sourced from British-grown forestry thinnings.

Solid yet light

This impressive structure combines curved wood and stainless steel
This free-form pergola in The Florence Nightingale Garden is made from laminated Douglas fir and stainless steel. While it looks solid from the side, step underneath and you'll see that light floods through, giving a delightful change in perspective. 

The deconstructed pergola

Elements of a pergola line the pathway
Framing views with vertical and horizontal elements
In the RHS COP26 Garden, a pergola has been deconstructed to frame a walkway from either side, rather than above it. Black-painted wooden posts provide contrast to the plantings, in both colour and form. These panels are a great demonstration of how you can use pergolas to frame views and encourage people to appreciate certain elements of a garden. 

Shifting perspectives

Solid or see-through? It depends where you're standing
Sliced oak trunks create a striking wall and archway in The Boodles Secret Garden. By only machine cutting one side of the slices, you get a feel for how the trees grew. Depending on where you are, the wall can appear solid or seethrough, adding to its drama and impact.

Simple and effective

Wooden frames provide strong visual elements in this garden
Black-painted wooden frames provide a simple yet very effective pergola in the Parsley Box Garden. Their clean lines contrast with the gnarled trunks of espalier pear trees and the lush edible plantings below. 

The multi-function pergola

Matching materials used in the pergola and cantilevered seat create a cohesive feel
Copper rills have been incorporated into the sides of this pergola
Proving that pergolas aren't just something to grow plants over, this clever design in Finding Our Way has incorporated small rills into the sides of the pergola. Matching wood has been used to make the cantilevered seat below it, joining the two together visually and making a very smart look.

Small space pergola

Even the tiniest garden has room for a pergola
The Landform Balcony Garden shows that you can fit a pergola into even the smallest space. This narrow metal pergola is less than 30cm (12") wide yet still provides a perfect hold for a star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) and a visual device to give extra height to this tiny outdoor room.

Space to swing

Pergolas provide the perfect place to hang a hammock or swing seat
Big wooden beams are perfect for growing lovely climbers (such as this Virginia creeper) – and as long as they're strong enough, they're also great for hanging hammocks and swing seats. In the Arcadia balcony garden a swinging seat, complete with comfy cushions, transforms this small space into an inviting place to while away a sunny afternoon. And that's what pergolas are all about. 
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Recommended plants

Clematis tangutica 'Bill MacKenzie'
clematis 'Bill MacKenzie'
  • 4–8 metres
  • 2.5–4 metres
<em>Clematis</em> <em>tangutica</em> 'Bill MacKenzie'
Parthenocissus henryana
Chinese Virginia creeper
  • 8–12 metres
  • 2.5–4 metres
<em>Parthenocissus</em> <em>henryana</em>
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia creeper
  • Higher than 12 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Parthenocissus</em> <em>quinquefolia</em>
Clematis tangutica 'Bill MacKenzie'
clematis 'Bill MacKenzie'
  • 4–8 metres
  • 2.5–4 metres
<em>Clematis</em> <em>tangutica</em> 'Bill MacKenzie'
Parthenocissus henryana
Chinese Virginia creeper
  • 8–12 metres
  • 2.5–4 metres
<em>Parthenocissus</em> <em>henryana</em>
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia creeper
  • Higher than 12 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Parthenocissus</em> <em>quinquefolia</em>
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Find out more about this year's show

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021

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The first ever autumn Chelsea

From breathtaking gardens to houseplant studios and stunning plant exhibits in the Great Pavilion, a world of gardening delights awaits.

The first ever autumn Chelsea

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.