Growing fruit over pergola.

[Bigmallly]

Has anyone any ideas for growing fruit over a pergola? (Grapes come to mind). At the moment it has passion flowers growing over it but it is starting to look a bit yuk! It is south-west facing & quite sheltered. The fruit will have to be grown in tubs.

[jaimie]

Thornless black berries, but they might get too rampant. Kiwis? But you'd need a mildish climate. Same for grapes. Any fruit trees you could train as cordons, like apples or pears.

[Brengirl]

I was just going to suggest blackberry. This year I must have picked 10 pounds of the biggest and juciest berries ever. They were all at hands reach and looked so good I didn't want to pick them and spoil their display.

[Snadger]

Thats a rather fine looking Pergola Bigmally!

Mine, being at an allotment has had two types of climbing pea growing up it this last couple of years, purple podded and Ne Plus Ultra.

I have a couple of different grapevines indoors which haven't fruited very well so I'm going to plant them either side of the Pergola this year just for the effect of there leaves.
I may procure a passion flower as well (the type that gives edible passion fruit if possible)

[Bigmallly]

Thanks guys, it gives me something to think about.

[Two_Sheds]

squashes?
(sorry for small image: filched off Tinternet)

[bharper1]

You could also try some of the other hybrid berries such as Boysonberry or Tayberry, equally nice and tasty

TwoSheds, that image looks like the ghost train ride at some fairground ride hehe

[Bigmallly]

Cheers TS, they are mean looking squashes. Something I have not tried growing.

[SueA]

I'd definitely give grapes a try. I've got a Rembrant grape over an arch outside in my garden & it produces lots of lovely grapes, they're supposed to be eaters or wine grapes but are a bit small & have lots of pips in them so would make great wine or grape jelly if I bothered to pick them before the birds ate them all!

[greasyfire]

Try some melons but if i was you looking at your climate go for something hardy not a watermelon and honeydew even though they are easy from seed

[Bigmallly]

Thanks Greasyfire, always thought melons were grown in a greenhouse. Think I'm gonna try butternut squash but thanks anyway.