Hi all - thks for the responses and sorry about the delay in replying. I'm on a biz trip so checking in less frequently. lilyfreak, thanks for the suggestion on the viburnum. I think the area may be too shady even for that. ianna, below are a few pix of the area. These were taken before our fence was replaced (and you can see why it needed replacing!!) and also before the lilacs there were in full bloom. In the first pic, the area of fence we want to plant against is straight ahead; the second (with the caption) shows the run of fence that we want to plant against. So even though it looks like it gets some sun, that's early morning sun. I guess I would classify the shade as "light to medium". squirelette, thks for the suggestion on the borage. I'll look into that. I was also thinking about euonymus - thoughts? Thanks again! Eliz

I have a similar application: I just finished a stone retaining wall with a 7' wooden fence which is inset 12" from the wall. The fence faces east - this is the side for which I am interested in covering, behind the fence is a yard, so soil is abuntant on that side. I was looking for something "tame" to soften the look. Star Jasmine was a thought, but I'm told its tendrels are a bit uncontrollable. Creeping Fig seems to have too dull of leaf for what I was seeking. Monterey Bay Brush Cherry seems to have nice folliage, but I'm told the stock gets very large and trimming it to 12" would not be adviseable. Sizzling Pink Fringe Flower is very attractive, but I hear it won't climb to 7' heights. From what I've read, it appears a well behaved option would be the Green Spire Euonymus or perhaps the Green Tower Boxwood - perhaps with the Purpleleaf Wintercreeper at the base, "spilling" over the stone wall caps. Any suggestions? is the Green Spire Euonymus a good choice? How long would one expect it to grow to 7' heights?

Will passion vine grow in zone 4a as a perennial? I know that P. incarnata is one of the hardiest, but not sure it's hardy to that zone. If you try honeysuckle, try to get Lonicera sempervirens or a cultivar of it. They are gorgeous and attract hummingbirds, and will do fine in part shade. Also, Sweet Autumn Clematis would do fine on a chain link, too. It flowers in late summer to early fall, with masses of tiny white blooms that are very fragrant. Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (porcelain vine, and I think the name may have been changed by the all too underworked taxonomists), has mottled green/white foliage and produces berries that are purple, blue, white, hence the name "porcelain". It is in the grape family. Aristolochias are vines that do well in part shade, too. They are old-fashioned vines that people used to shade their porches way back when..... A. macrophylla would be the best for you (big leaf pipevine). You may also be lucky enough to get some pipevine swallowtails to lay eggs on them. They do flower, but rather the flowers are usually hidden by the huge heart-shaped foliage. It is called pipevine because the flowers are shaped like meershaum pipes. You could also use other clematis varieties that tolerate partial shade, but I find they do not really provide good coverage of a fence. While your perennial vines are growing and filling in, you can plant some annuals back there, like sweet peas. Those should do well for you in your climate, and there are so many different colors available on today's market. They usually flower in spring. I don't know if you will get a sustained period of heat long enough for morning glories to bloom in your zone. Canary flower would probably do well for you as it likes cooler weather. If I am wrong about passion flower or morning glories, please correct me. Susan

Yes drainage pipe. I'm just wanting something to mask the fence I guess. I thought the roses would be just beautiful but I'm thinking anything really green will look beautiful as well. Something that won't damage the fence to where it would need a sooner replacement and something that will keep my husband from worrying. Someone on an ajoining street filled in their backyard ditch so that started to make others yards flood so they had to install the drainage pipes. I of course do not want to do anything to mess up the "flow" - We are in Dickinson, TX - Just had a ton of rain and the ditch did not even hold any water in it.