A question about ivy

[OnionPatch]

I have a chainlink fence that I want to cover thickly with vines. I'm growing honeysuckle (your everyday, yellow and white Hall's) on the part in the sun but I don't think it will do so well in the shady area, will it? Will ivy grow up a chainlink-type fence? Or does it need some flat surface to attach to? I know it grows great up walls. If the ivy won't work, what will grow on my fence in the shade? I prefer something evergreen, but I guess I may not be able to be choosy in this instance. Oh, I live in zone 8, sort of. :shrug: It's like zone 8 in the winter and 9 in the summer. There's plenty of frost with occasional snow dustings in the winter and it's always very, very hot, 100+ days, in the summer.
Thanks for any advice.

[TygrBright]

1. Sorry, but ivy doesn't "twine"...

...it attaches itself by holdfasts to a rough surface and climbs that way.

From what you're describing of the climate, maybe a passiflora or some kind of polygonum, or maybe a star jasmine might work. How dry/humid is it? You might be able to do a honeysuckle.

Best option would be to canvass the local nurseries/garden centers, the independent ones who buy their plants from local/regional growers. They might have some recommendations.

helpfully,
Bright

[OnionPatch]

2. That's what I was afraid of

Oh well. :(

I tried passionflower and can't seem to keep it growing. I'm not sure what the problem is because my friend has some that does great. She's at a little lower elevation, though, and warmer.

I don't know why I didn't think of using star jasmine. I already have some of it twining up a railing closer to the house in partial shade. I think it might work! Thanks! And the smell is heavenly. For that matter, so is the honeysuckle. That fence is going to smell great! (Which is good because there are farm animals on the other side of it. :))

[slipslidingaway]

3. Just an idea to explore...Clematis

http://webhome.idirect.com/~semple/seven/ggtseven.htm

"We now expose you to seven varieties of Clematis that are not afraid of a lot of shade...

So why keep this information a secret? The Clematis varieties with a shady reputation might be just the solution for other gardeners facing the north-facing wall problem. It’s time to expose the Clematis that can be used for northern exposure. I’ve come up with a list of seven – the Seven Shady Secrets. I’ve had personal experience with five and I’ve seen the other two blooming in virtually sunless spots."

[murphymom]

4. Be careful with ivy

Not sure how it would be in your area, but up here in the Pacific Northwest ivy can be extremely invasive - in fact, the Oregon Department of Agriculture has it on the noxious weed list. I would be concerned that it might get out of control on you.

[LWolf]

5. Ivy?

I am allergic to Boston Ivy. Big, itchy hives anywhere they've come close to my skin. I've spent too many years trying to eradicate the stuff. It's really invasive, and doesn't go away easily.

I don't really have a good answer for you; my favorite vines are grape, wisteria, trumpet, jasmine, and honeysuckle. I also like climbing roses. I don't know how any of those do in shade.

[erinlough]

6. I use White Lace vine.

I am in Michigan, zone 5-6 and it sometimes get frost bit, but comes back. The vine also grows at my niece's house in Prescott Arizona and does fine. It grows up to six feet a month in the spring and produces white blossoms once in the spring and again in the fall. I planted it on an arbor 8 years ago and it has engulfed it (12ftx16ft) and is lush and beautiful. In the winter here it is stems only but very interesting. One thing, birds love it and so do bees so it may not be perfect for every place.

[gizmonic]

7. I agree w/the others re: ivy. Stay away from it. It's bad news.

Invasive, destructive, a menace to man and beast! :mad: :evilfrown: ;)

I live in Northern Ohio and my backyard is feeling the effects of the english ivy. Only permanent way to get rid of it is to yank it. It's not a task I'm looking forward too this summer! *blech!*

Check out this link -- interesting facts about ivy, what to do to get rid of it, lasting effects of it, etc.
http://www.noivyleague.com/

good luck! :)

[Imalittleteapot]

8. Cross Vine

It's evergreen, it twines and has beautiful flowers. I have a yellow and a red one. The red is the best. Both of mine grow and blooom in the shade, in the spring. I'm in zone 8.

[juajen]

9. That's funny; my english ivy is growing up

my chain link fence.

[Bjornsdotter]

10. Mine too n/t

[yardwork]

11. If you are in southern California, you should have lots of good options

Right now, you have one really invasive import (the honeysuckle) and you're considering another (ivy). Instead, look into using native plants - they aren't invasive, they will help feed birds and butterflies, and they'll do well in all seasons.