Need advice: flowering vine, perennial, not extreme bee magnet...

[Dodie]

We have privacy fence in our backyard. There are 3 sections that are not the solid fence, but rather the kind with spaces between the slats. While I really like our neighbors, I would like to provide a screen without totally replacing those sections of fence.

Had a brainstorm last night. I will string some netting on the fence and plant some sort of vine. That will be so much prettier than the fence, will screen our neighbor's yard, and won't appear to be totally antisocial.

What do I plant? I live in Indiana. I would like something fast growing and returning. I don't want something that will spread uncontrollably into the yard. I'd like some pretty blooms, but it would be nice if it wasn't a total bee magnet

The area in question is mostly sunny, with a little shade in the afternoon.

Thanks for your input!

[Tulirose]

I found in one of my two NEW gardening books and then stumbled across at a nursery something called a Climbing Hydrangea - (Hydrangea petiolaris). The nursery had it growing on a trellis. It is good for zones 4-7. I will quote from the book:

deciduous flowering vine

Needs: Plant in fertile, well-drained, moist soil in either full sun or shade. Prune as needed in late winter or early spring to control growth. This vine tolerates alkaline soil.

Good for: adding texture to brick or stone walls, chimneys, courtyard walls, and tree trunks, seasonal accent, provides a coarse-textured background

This hydrangea is an easy-growing and beautiful vine. It will cover buildings or tree trunks with yards of foliage and flowers. Older stems develop exfoliating bark. The combination of flowers, foliage and bark makes this plant ideal for all seasons.

Hoping to help. :D

[Snowwark]

Hi Dodie! :)

Climbing Hydrangea is a beautiful vine, but if you choose to plant it you might want to consider putting up some wood lattice on the fence for it to grow on. I'm not sure that netting would be strong enough to support it.

We have a CH vine on a back fence, attached to large pieces of lattice that DH made. For the first year or two we used foam covered wire to fasten the young shoots to the lattice. Now that it's older it's not necessary to do that anymore unless you're trying to encourage it to grow in a certain direction.

Kim :)

[Boo'sMom]

Sweet pea is a vigorous climber, and would offer a lot of green screen :-)

[BigDis2002]

I like silver lace vine it is vigourous and ever green and you can control it by pruning and it blooms in the fall for a long time and it is hardy in cold climates so it would be perfect for you.The blooms are white lacey ,really pretty and you can buy it at www.henryfields.com or just look at it there. Good Luck with your gardening! Hope it works for you.(look under vines in the pull down menu):smooth:

[amcnj]

The Jackmanii variety of clematis is quite vigorous and will be covered with deep purple flowers for weeks in late spring/early summer. As suggested before, something stronger than a net would be better.

[redd45]

I agree with BigDis2002 Silver lace vine is a good choice and very fast growing. Susan

[NHMickey]

I just put two Climbing Hydrangea in my garden... Love them.