Modern wrought iron arbors are made from powder-coated cast ironthat protects the metal from rusting. Several distinct shapes and sizes are available for use in the garden. Wrought iron arbors offer a strong support structure for deep vines. Many showy plants create a classic look when prepared to grow vertically on the arbor.
Aromatic Vines
Fragrant vines bring pleasure if they are planted in locations where people are able to enjoy their aromas. The highly fragrant Carolina yellow jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10, reaching 12 to 20 feet long. This evergreen vine covers itself with shiny green leaves and yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. The aromatic fiveleaf akebia (Akebia quinata) remains evergreen in USDA zones 5 through 9 unless it’s exposed to freezing temperatures. This fast-growing deciduous vine produces bluish-green leaves and drooping purple blossoms.
Evergreen Leaves
Evergreen vines cover a wrought iron arbor with year-round shade. “Charisma” bower vine (Pandorea jasminoides “Charisma”) creates evergreen twining branches that grow 15-to-25 feet long in USDA zones 9 through 11. Pale pink trumpet-shaped blossoms with purple throats float over glossy green leaves with cream-colored borders. Potato vine (Solanum jasminoides), another evergreen climber, thrives in USDA zones 9 through 11. This shrubby vine reaches 20-to-25 feet long and contains bluish-white blossoms, which attract hummingbirds.
Fruiting Vines
Fruiting vines take advantage of vertical space, which protects the fruit from ground-bound garden pests. The hardy kiwi vine (Actinidia arguta “Issai”) is a hefty climber that attains 12 to 20 feet and blooms with greenish-white spring flowers in USDA zones 3 through 8. This sun-loving vine produces edible fruit in the fall. Purpleleaf grapes (Vitis vinifera “Purpurea”) grow best in USDA zones 6 through 9 and creates woody stems 20 feet long covered in purple leaves. In the fall, the leaves turn red, and bunches of little blue-black grapes appear on the stalks.
Showy Flowers
Vines with showy flowers create a lush tropical feel to the wrought iron arbor by brightening up the dark metal. The climbing rose “All Ablaze” (Rosa x WEKsamsou) grows deciduous comes from USDA zones 5 through 10 that reach 8-to-12 feet tall. Bright red double-ruffled flowers appear in the spring and again in the summertime. The clematis “Ernest Markham” (Clematis “Ernest Markham”) grows well in USDA zones 4 through 11, producing a mass of magenta summertime flowers, that reach 4 inches wide. This sun-loving vine grows 10-to-15 feet long.