Question
I have just had my wall raised so it's now 6ft high, and I would love to grow vines up it, without risking runaway growth, however.

What vine would you recommend for zone 9 (I live in Los Angeles), that would be an attractive wall cover, that could grow behind rose bushes and Bird of Paradise plants without threatening them, and that would not become a nest for rats?

Thanks, in advance, for your kind advice.

Cheers,
Nicholas

Answer
Hello Nicholas,

Vines by nature are relatively vigorous so just about anything you plant on your wall will require some pruning every now and then. Most vines are twining which means they will need a trellis or some other structure on which to hold themselves up. Self-clinging vines such as ivy will attach themselves directly to the concrete with aerial roots without a need for a trellis. The majority of flowering vines are twining.

Some choices for your location would be passion flower, mandevilla, Jasmine polyanthum, Conferedrate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), various potato vines specifically Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' and Solanum jasminoides, and Stephanotis floribunda. If you can't find some of these locally, smaller rooted cuttings can be purchased from many reputable mailorder firms.  

All require at least a half day of sun with irrigation during extremely dry periods.

I hope this information was of help to you.

Regards,

Vito