Climbing hydrangea climbs with arial roots and needs a reasonable surface to stick to. It doesn't twine. Rises would probably be best but they would need regular pruning and training. And where would it be planted? I only see a small bed on the left. Wisteria would be gorgeous but it seems to be disliked in the US for its rampant growth. It would also need training.

Zone 7a climbing vines include Wisteria, Clematis, Honeysuckle, Trumpet Vine, Carolina Jessamine, Climbing Hydrangea, and Star Jasmine, offering options for flowers, fragrance, evergreen foliage, and fast growth. Many are perennial, while others like Morning Glory are annuals. Popular climbing vines for Zone 7a

• Flowering/Showy: Clematis (Armand/Evergreen is also an option), Trumpet Vine, Wisteria, Honeysuckle (Coral/Major Wheeler), Passionflower, Morning Glory (Annual).
• Evergreen: Star Jasmine, Carolina Jessamine, Evergreen Clematis (Clematis armandii).
• Fast-Growing: Wisteria (heavy), Trumpet Vine, Morning Glory (annual).
• Other Options: Climbing Hydrangea, Virginia Creeper (vigorous), Crossvine.

Thanks Floral - yes, would be planted on the left. Boxwood can shift to accomodate, or it can be plated in the part directly next to the fence which has gravel mulch. Thought about roses - I am fine with pruning and training. Just wasn’t sure what amateur-friendly varieties that would grow to this size and at a decent pace.

Thanks! I dont hate how the Wave Hill looks in winter - it’s much better than clematis, which is a mass of very thin twiggy vines with no wider trunks (at least the varieties I have). I suspect the NYC wisteria is Chinese, which is invasive and no longer recommended. But there are non-invasive (or at least less invasive) varieties sold now. They have some drawbacks, though (eg one popular variety supposedly takes a couple of years to start flowering; there’s a faster variety but it has no fragrance). Hence my question!

Speaking from personal experience, anything BUT wisteria. Almost destroyed a gazebo of mine, but I live on the west coast, different climate of course. Btw, I don’t know what variety mine was but I was told it wouldn’t be a problem, lol.

There is a native species of wisteria (frutescens), BUT make sure you smell it in bloom - it absolutely reeked of cat urine to my nose. Make sure it doesn’t offend you before you buy.

Star jasmine is awesome. You're just inside the hardiness zone. If you plant one where the boxwood is, it will grow over the trellis in no time.

This is mine in a side garden. This is two plants, planted about twenty years ago. It grows fast, i cut it back hard every year. Green all year round, beautiful white fragrant flowers in the spring.

Avoid wisteria and trumpet vine. Both are rampant and will smother anything in sight.

It's awkward enough that I'd try a different tack - hanging baskets. Getting something big enough to cover the pergola from only one side, that isn't rampant enough to take over the pergola and the house is going to be tricky.

Trumpet vine is vigorous, native to you and blooms later in the year. It has orange flowers, but also comes in red, bicolor, yellow, some lovely peachy shades and pink. I think Flamenco is a pink cultivar, but I couldn't find a pic on Houzz.

You can also plant two vines. Roses and clematis are a popular combo. Or you could do an annual, like sweet peas. There are actinidias with pink and white flashes on their leaves. If you want fruit, check to see if you need a male and a female plant.

Actinidia Kolomikta (Arctic Kiwi)

McDonald Residence in Magnolia Seattle · More Info

Rose and Clematis

A country garden for a Willis Polk classic in Atherton · More Info

This is a yellow Trumpet vine.

Campsis radicans 'Flava' · More Info

Orange

Campsis grandiflora · More Info

Ooh! The kiwi could be pretty! Also like the idea of a rose. The trumpet vine doesn’t work for me colorwise.

We had a trumpet vine on our arbor when we lived in zone 6 Ct. loved seeing all the hummingbirds as an add attraction. They are vigorous growers that need to be pruned but also native to the area.

Yes Sigrid you need a male & female to get fruit on the A. k. I was going to suggest it since the tracery of the vine is very interesting in winter, however it gets to be 25' and needs a strong structure. Only males gets the colourful foliage.

So assuming I’d like a rose, any thoughts on a vigorous and healthy climber in a soft pink or white that tolerates a bit of shade?

How 'vigorous' are you willing to put up with? That's the question. Remember, if you plant it off to the side, you will have to prune/train it in the right direction, and any rose should be taken down off the supports periodically, and retrained.

Maybe Mme. Plantier would be a good size. Avoid New Dawn unless you are prepared to take the training very seriously.

You can look up the Flamenco or Pink Panther cultivars of Trumpet vine. The standard is orange, but it does come in a few, harder-to-find pink shades.

As for "vigorous" and the comments that they plants will take over, it looks to me like you have a limited spot to plant in. You probably need something reasonably vigorous, because the conditions aren't idea.

That said, the biggest problem with Wisteria is that it pops up all over, but it won't pop up in the middle of a paved patio, so you might have the perfect conditions for it. (It might invade your neighbor's lawn, but that's not your problem, right. Plus, they can mow it.

Star Jasmine looks like it will grow in your zone. It keeps its green color all year long and features small white flowers when it blooms (Carolina Jasmine has yellow flowers). Plus, it climbs and fills out at the top, which would be a great fit for your style of trellis. I’ve included a photo of my Carolina Jasmine so you can see how it grows and clumps at the top. It looks great even without flowers—just nice and green! Definitely worth a try!