Hummingbirds go crazy for my Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle vine on the chain link fence. Not much annual maintenance required except for light pruning, and every few years cut out the thickest of wood to rejuvenate. It grows higher than my fence but flops around gracefully so I usually just let it be. Nothing at all intrusive about this vine - no runners, not much suckering.

Clematis tangutica Radar Love is another vine that is easy and grows out in the open without any special wintering requirements. It has pretty little bell shaped yellow flowers. It's quite prolific but easy to prune out that which is not wanted.

I am finding virginia creeper a very aggressive vine. My neighbor had planted it at one end of the fence bordering our driveway. It quickly spread along the length of the fence. I have a narrow bed planted there. I am constantly pulling up the vines which are rooting in my flowerbed. It would overwhelm that narrow bed in one season if I wasn't diligent about removing them.

I do find it attractive and it wouldn't be a problem if I wasn't trying to have a flowerbed so near to the vines though. I didn't plant them, yet I'm the one trying to control them. And now that neighbor has moved away.

I just wanted to warn you in case you have a similar situation.

I agree with Pudge's recommendations, and also North53's assessment of Virginia Creeper. I have VA Creeper along my back fence and it grows pretty fast. In my case that's a good thing because I want the privacy and I don't have any garden in that area. VA Creeper will spread by vines (they get very very long, but can be pruned), also by roots (but not at an alarming rate in my experience), and by seeds. Birds like to eat the berries and you will find seedlings here and there. They're easy to pull out when they're young. All in all I love Virginia Creeper but it's a bit rambunctious. You can prune it with shears or just an electric hedge trimmer.

Thanks for the suggestions. Ok so probably no to VC then. Could I combine the Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle vine with the Clematis on the same fence? The fence is only about 5 1/2 feet high and circles the back yard. How far apart do you plant the vines if you want good coverage for privacy?

Hey there. I do believe this attracts hummingbirds... its the 'Scarlet Runner Bean vine'. A quick growing vine with red flowers. The pods are edible, the young ones are really tender, its an annual... 'Black eyed Susan vine is really awesome too, is annual I do believe, could be wrong...

Yes, you could combine the two. I have both growing on a trellis and they seem to be doing okay together. I did not cut back either this year and it's looking quite jungle-ish at the moment. On the trellis they are planted maybe 18" apart.

Mine on the fence are not planted with privacy in mind but I would think every 3' would do the trick.

Something to keep in mind and forgive me if you have already considered this but, even after the plantings have grown and matured, privacy will not be attained until the plants leaf out (mid-end May). Prior to leafing, and after freeze-up, your privacy issue still may come to light.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Yes I realize that it wont leaf out that early....but should be in time to keep my garden out of view from the ¨volunteer u-pick workers¨ in my area.....or at least thats the plan. Thank you sooo much everyone. And please don´t assume i know anything.....I really am VERY new to all this.... thanks again.

i live in zone two and could anyone tell me, does a clematis tangutica radar die back in winter and start all over in spring from ground up? looking for vines that wont keep growing from gound up each year

HU-803879685, I don't grow 'Radar Love', but I "think" it's very hardy. An excellent summer long blooming beauty is 'Joe Zary' developed in Saskatchewan.