Regarding Ivy: my neighbor's ivy has found its way under our fence by traveling underground then popping up on our side of the fence. It also grows through any small sliver of a crack, such as between two slats of wood. Its stems become woody-hard. It tries to grow up our bottlebrush tree. I have to pry it off the tree trunks. So I don't know if it will shorten a fence's lifespan, but you should consider if the neighbor wants ivy on his side of the fence, because it WILL grow on the other side too, eventually.
I think all vines that are large and massive enough to provide privacy get pretty heavy in weight, so that must impact the fence's lifespan, perhaps?

Have you considered planting shrubs in front to the fence?

Hi Ryan,

All of the vines I can think of will do damage to a wood fence. Stems grow through the gaps in the fence and as they age and get thick they spread the wood apart and it warps and splinters. Ivy is the worst, since it seeks gaps to grow into and gets very thick with age. I have 360 feet of Algerian ivy on chain link, and some of the trunks are ten inches across! It has pulled the chain link apart in places, so imagine what it will do to wood.

My father uses creeping fig, but it is almost as much of a nightmare. Aside from the sewer line problems it produced, it gets large heavy leaves when it matures and creeps through tiny cracks, widening them. Boston ivy is good for stucco walls, but it will destroy wood just like other vines, by growing through the slats and then thickening. Most vines also grow up and then make a big wad of foliage at the top of the fence and are bare below.

The only vines that will not destroy a wood fence are the woody sorts that you actually have to attach to the fence yourself. I cannot think of any that will screen well, but Lady Banks roses might work, as long as you prune several times a year and make sure the stems stay away from narrow spaces. The white jasmine that is blooming right now might work too (sorry, forget the botanical name) but likewise, it can cause damage and it is really heavy.

It sounds to me like you have a perfect place for standard sized Nandinas. They are narrow and tall, evergreen, provide privacy and yet stay a little lacy, can be trimmed or left natural, and do not grow too big. The wonder plant.

Renee

I have native honeysuckle (NOT THE YELLOW INVASIVE KIND) on my fence, it has coral red blooms. Major Wheeler. It isn't too thick or heavy, hummingbirds love it, but the foliage is mostly at the top, and cascades over a few feet.