Have you considered either clematis or honeysuckle? There are a number of climbing vine plants that thrive with 6 hours of full sun which might be a good option. How long is the fence in linear feet? A few plant ideas that might be worth a look:

http://ottawacitizen.com/life/homes/gardening/mark-cullen-for-more-shade-and-privacy-plant-vines

Do you want a hedge of all the same plant? Or a vine that grows up the fence?

Hello, thanks for your response, shrub or vine is fine by me the most important thing for me is that it not be invasive root wise or try to grow in every direction not just on the fence. And provides privacy from the street. I want something that is suitable for this spot, and not something that I or the next home owner will regret. The previous homeowner planted wisteria on the pergola sitting between mine and the other neighbours home. Several times a season I need to cut it back so it does not attack either house. Not an appropriate plant that I doubt I could get rid of and the roots I don't even want to know where those roots are. Pwlong I like the vines you mentioned but I do not believe they retain their leaves over winter, the article mentioned that Big leaf winter creeper does can anyone give me any insight on this plant? good bad and ugly details The other notable about this fence is there is nothing blocking the wind or winter weather it will hit it full blast, actually it would be a bonus if the planting could act like a barrier from the weather for the side of my house. I would estimate the fence is 40 or so feet half in full afternoon sun and half sits between the houses. thanks

The problem with vines is that they develop thickness. Most Clematis become quite billowy and you can't really cut it skinny without cutting off the bloom. The best plant I've ever seen work in a chain link fence like you want is English ivy, as it can be kept flat and is evergreen. But I don't think it grows where you are and it has its invasive quality which might be a bit much for you. Another one that is almost as skinny when kept sheared is Virginia creeper. But again, invasive. Then there is wood fence instead of chain link.

I'd consider a shrub that could be espaliered on the fence.

Anything you plant will need to be sheared to keep it from protruding into the yard. Considering the length of the fence, are you sure it's worth the trouble?

Hello again, thanks for your input. Would have loved to have a wood fence but limited funds nix'd that. Definitely need to cover this fence, the fence itself is ugly. I also strongly dislike how anyone can peer into my yard. I will check out the shrub espaliered seems like a tidy way to hide the fence. Pruning along the fence with both feet on the ground will be a breeze compared to some of the on the ladder maneuvers I do with the wisteria. thanks all.

My coral honeysuckle is evergreen here in z5 in NM. It has completely covered a dead tree about 12ft tall. No name for mine, a native from SE Texas. My neighbor purchased one locally and grows well and is evergreen. Hummingbirds love the blossoms.

jo

Yard, eng ivy is hardy here on the side of mt Taylor.

Hi Yard.

At my last house, I had a chain link fence between my neighbors and myself in a tight row-house situation. I wanted a LOT of privacy. I also could not afford the time and money and energy for a fence redo. I went the shrubs route, it worked well. There are many types that are easy peasy to prune, can't hardly go wrong, like ninebark, spirea, arborvitae, yew, various viburnum, butterfly bush, fothergilla, etc. Those were some bushes I planted. Actually, I also had a row of raspberry bushes that I trellised up against the fence that were nice looking and gave me a nice edible product, and in another spot a climbing rose! Looked ratty in winter though. That's why I had a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs. There are also bushy maples, (commonly called "hedge maple" can't remember the scientific name), and quite a few other trees, such as crab apples, that can be pruned into a tall hedge. Just be careful, apples and cedar shrubs (juniper, for example) don't mix, they are co hosts for cedar apple rust, a fungus which can cause a problem for both plants, unless you buy varieties that are immune. Currants also carry a rust fungus that hurts pines.

The nice thing about a shrub border is if you ever do get the money to replace the fence, you don't lose the foliage, or at least most of it.