Forgive me, I am still alive!

Love the pergola - it's great! Welcome back. Campsis sounds good. Is Wisteria a thought, too?

I wrote a blog on 'good do-ers' recently - that has a number of long-flowering perennials in it, and I hope it will help you!

Chrysanths? In the spring? I would have expected them to flower in late summer and autumn. I have a pink one which is lovely - it has been in flower for several weeks - C. 'Mei Kyo'. It's on my page, under the 'my garden' section, if you want to see it.

Good luck with the tulips! Which ones are you planting?

May I suggest you consider Perennial Sweet Pea Lathyrus latifolius which has the RHS Award of Garden Merit which I saw this summer. I know it Flowers June to September and quickly grows to approximately 6-8 ft up a support. It thrives in full sun and a rich soil. I didnt see this but was informed that the flowers just before dawn and before dusk have an almost luminescent glow. You might also like to consider a Bronze Chrysanthemum - Excitement, Pink chrysanthemum - Alpha. Good luck thats a lovely pergola

You are forgiven, especially letting us see sights like this, that pergola is some size!

Great, It was nice to see your pergola. I shall look forward to more.

I LOVE that pergola, your whole garden's wonderful Lonegardener :-)

Just a thought - Eccremocarpus scaber - grow it from seed, keep a constant supply of baby plants going - in a sheltered spot, it will remain evergreen and flowers ten months of the year, though more usually won't start till early May and finishes end October. Its actually an annual, as you know, but so easy to raise from seed and a very fast grower. The other one is Tropaeleum peregrinum, also easy and very fast. For permanence, think I'd try Trachleospermum jasminoides - evergreen, and when its not flowering, if you've got the first two I mentioned, or one of them, that'd make up for it. Only trouble with Trachleospermum is it doesn't get very tall, but in combination, this might work. There's a variegated version of Trachleospermum too, I've never seen it, but would absolutely love one myself.
And please, YOU MUST promise to post pics when the laburnum's in flower - I haven't seen a laburnum walk for years, and I love laburnum;-)

Lovely, and welcome back.

Thanks to all of you for your inspiring comments. I will be sure to check out ur blog, Spritz, and we do have some wisteria that hopefully will put on a better show next year than it did this year. The problem was in the previous year, pre-TLG, the pergola was pruned along the top with a hedge trimmer. There is an abundance of roses/clematis that climb the posts at different junctures, so its a case of trying to keep them from going up, and more spreading along the length of the pergola. Also an incessant battle with virginia creeper that keeps finding its way there and reseeding itself somehow ?!? I was considering sweet pea and will certainly check out the Lathyrus latifolius, it sounds fantastic. I`m also a big fan of penstemon. Was hoping to plant a selection of parrot tulips and viridflora tulips along the borders, however my partner, who I share this particular contract with is suggesting to keep it simple Tulip Cherida (lemon yellow) and Tulip Negrita (purple). I have recently supplied all of my other customers with these type, plus various Kaufmania and Greigii so either way I willl be rewarded. Looking forward to seeing the Blue Heron variety as well... Thanks Bamboo, I will google these wonderful naming plants
Eccremocarpus scaber, and Trachleospermum jasminoides and take a look. So once again, many thanks, much to do, the garden is about 2 acres, and although its not my garden, I cant help but feel passionate whenever I am there. It is a stunning place to work, and with one eye looking toward Spring, the other eye is definitely seeing the mountain of jobs that need attention in order for this piece of paradise to bloom to its full potential.

Love you all- TLG