RE: Problematic Pergola

Dear Ben
 
What a beautiful pergola!
I have seen grapes provide dense shade here in Spain but they are always old with very thick and gnarled stems.  It it were me I would not put a shade cloth but put several different vines as well as the grape ..eg wisteria can give alot of shade but is deciduous which would give some sun like the grape over winter with two evergreen climbers perhaps a one of those Rosa Banksia ramblers and perhaps a Jasmine like Trachelospermum jasminoides which is lovely and fast growing. 
 
Pamela
Costa Blanca
 -----Original Message-----
From: owner-medit-plants@ucdavis.edu [mailto:owner-medit-plants@ucdavis.edu]On Behalf Of Ben Wiswall
Sent: 20 September 2009 00:42
To: medit plants forum
Subject: Problematic Pergola

Hi All,
I'm still fussing over a pergola that is not fulfilling its purpose, namely, to provide comfortable SHADY outdoor seating and dining in summer.

I chose grapes as the vine to do the job, believing they were tough and fast, and had long historical precedent for growing on pergolas.
So, my question is: does anyone have a pergola shrouded in grape vines?  Does it provide DENSE shade in summer for you?  Does it drop half-dried grapes/raisins on you while you are reposing in the shade?
After four summers, should I give it one more season, or start over with a different vine, or lattice, or shade cloth?

Following are some photos of the pergola taken in midsummer.  I increased irrigation shortly afterwards,and the vines have responded by producing some late growth, but not too much.

www.flickr.com/photos/27474976@N07/sets/72157622287967839/

Thanks for any advice!
-Ben Armentrout-Wiswall
Simi Valley, inland southern California
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