Vines for Privacy

Evergreen Vines

• If privacy is your goal, then choose a vine that provides coverage year-round. English or Algerian ivy is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 5 and grows quickly, adhering to fences, masonry and wood. It can become invasive in moist, warm climates. Evergreen honeysuckle, Armand's clematis or Japanese star jasmine thrive in warm climates and provide year-round greenery and fragrant blooms.

Deciduous Vines

• If you can tolerate a bare area during the winter, consider a deciduous vine. Most deciduous vines are cold-hardy and grow quickly. Boston ivy and Virginia creeper have similar growth habits and produce brilliant fall foliage. Clematis, trumpet vine, silver fleece, hardy kiwi, dutchman's pipe and honeysuckle produce thick foliage and flowers. Hardy kiwi produces small, edible fruit.

Annual Vines

• Annual vines die back every year, but have the advantage of growing very rapidly to provide privacy during the summer. Morning glory and moonflower belong to the same family and produce large round flowers on long, twining vines. Black-eyed Susan and vining nasturtium may grow 8 to 20 feet long and produce bright orange or yellow flowers. Unlike perennial vines that bloom for a few weeks, annual vines bloom most of the summer.

Considerations

• The most important consideration is to select a vine that grows well in the conditions present in your garden. If you plant a vine that needs full sun in a partially shaded location, the plant won't thrive. Vines vary in their needs for sunlight and moisture, as well as the weather conditions and soil types they tolerate. Some vines, such as wisteria and trumpet vine, become very heavy and need a strong support system.