Re: Problematic Pergola

What a beautiful pergola!

I have made arbors in my last and current homes, both I covered with grape vines. I live in Sonoma County, California, and I love how the grapes belong in this setting and climate. Both arbors took four to five years to get good coverage. Before the grapes provided shade, I had the arbors covered with shadecloth. I took the cloth off when the grapes had finally covered the arbors. I haven't watered the vines at all after they were established.

My current arbor is somewhat small.. 20 x 12 ft, and covered by Vitis californica, 'Roger's Red'. I am really pleased by how well it has done. It's now completely covering the arbor with dense shade, leafy tendrils hang down on all sides. I prune these every few weeks to improve the view. It's been four years since planting the vine. I haven't watered it at all, and I live on a ridgetop. I do live 30 mins away from the Russian River, and it's my understanding that 'Roger's Red' is a partial native of the Russian River area. This area is in the coastal influence, and is cooled by fog mornings and evenings during the summer.

I've found that you really have to give vines time to cover, and you have to prune regularly. They do drop leaves and stems, and with the grapes, the dried fruit. Sometimes they can attract yellow jackets. I really love the feel of being under the leafy canopy. It's an experience I share with my ancestors going back thousands of years. I really don't mind the mess, I just sweep it off.

Steve French
Sebastopol, California



----- Original Message -----
From: "Ben Wiswall" <benwiswall@pacbell.net>
To: "medit plants forum" <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 3:41:54 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
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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