Creeping Fig will attach itself although I don't know how tall it will get. Mine is about 6 months old and about 3 ft tall. Morning Glory will get that tall but will need support. I tend to think that morning glory is more invasive but I don't think it would crowd out the fig as figs do fine in shade.

Theresa

flowermum,
I see you're in zone 7. Creeping fig may not be hardy for you. What I read shows Zones 8-9 for hardiness. I'm in 7b..almost 8 and have mine on the south side of a structure....and it grows verrrrrry slowly for me. But the good news is that it can grow 40 feet tall! :)

Pam

Here is a link that might be useful: Creeping Fig

That's TRUE about the zone. I thought it would work in my zone. What was I thinking?

I'm looking at the Bignonia Capreolata (Crossvine), Virginia Creeper, the Boston Ivy, and the Clematis Armandii. The Crossvine is the front runner right now.

Thanks everyone for your very helpful input.

Another thought for you to consider. It is possible to espalier one or more free standing Camellia sasanquas up tight to your wall. They are easily kept closely trimmed and branching encouraged along the wall. A very attractive solution providing early winter bloom. I have planted several in this manner which are now about 8' tall, but they can be pruned to any desired height and width. At the bases I have planted Class C Clematis which need to be pruned back in the spring for summer color. C. sasanqua planted on a warm wall in Zone 7 should grow well.

Hi Nandina,

I actually have two Camellia Sansanquas but I didn't know they could be espaliered along a wall. How fascinating! And the blooms are pretty, except mine have these bee-like things all over the blooms. LOL

Would you please share any photos you may have of this look?

Thanks for the help.

Hi all,

I really want to try a creeping fig on a garden wall, but I have read so much that scares me at its invasive and damaging nature! I really don't want to plant a monster I can't get rid of or control... but maybe if I'm far enough on the "cusp" of its growing zone... Does anyone in 7b know for SURE if it is controllable in this zone? Or are there specific cultivars that don't get so invasive?

ALSO, to FLOWERMUM, I have recently added some espaliered camellias (and also am trying some apples and pears), but am not exactly sure what to use to attach the cables to the walls. I can't find specifics anywhere! Do you use large screw eyes and run--what kind of cable?--through them? Or are you using a wooden trellis (which is what my camellias came with). Anyone have advice on the construction for the apple trees? They will be grown against a wall--I really don't want to use trellises, but want to use the traditional cable system. Just can't find specifics! I mean, when I walk into the hardware store, what exactly do I ask for? Even at the garden center, they couldn't really help, nor the hardware store. No one seems to have done it around here... THANKS!!

I meant to Nandina, re the espalier questions--sorry!

Not fast growing, but a well behaved (so far) evergreen climber for me is the Confederate or Star Jasmine. I'm not sure if it's hardy in your area, but if it is you could give it a try. The flowers are very sweetly scented and the leaves take on reddish tones in Fall and Winter. So far I'm really pleased with mine, even though it's not a fast grower.

Eduarda

I just checked this question and see that there are questions re my suggestion of espaliering Camellia sasquanqa on a wall. Sorry, flowermum, but I do not post pictures of my work here on GW.

Creeping fig is not suitable for a house wall. However, it certainly can be grown on a free standing brick/stone wall. It is an agressive grower and will require constant, dedicated pruning to keep it tight and manicured. Plus, the roots will grow outward into a garden bed consuming the space and when you fight trying to control unwanted growth you will wish you had never planted it.

The beauty of using C. sasanqua as an espalier is that it does not need any supports. Select a shrub at the nursery which has a very straight, single trunk. Decide which is the 'good' side that will face outward. Study the branching pattern visualizing the branches growing, spreading across the wall as it grows. Now, remove all the back, jutting out branches and plant the shrub tight to the wall. From there on it is a case of studying the annual growth and pruning to shape. It can be kept very flat to a wall with a depth of about 12" or if room allows, pruned to a more rounded shape with more depth. Side branches are allowed to grow parallel to the ground and trimmed as necessary.

Hi Nandina,

It ok, would you consider emailing a photo?

I'm still deciding about which vine to choose. I have fallen in love with the potato vine. Too bad it's not for zone 7.

I'm having problems getting my creeping fig to attach to my vinyl fence (shadow box). I've tried attaching a plastic poultry fence with wire and even tried spraying drywall to see if it would stick. No luck. Would chicken wire be best. Any suggestions??

I second Eduarda's suggestion for Star Jasmine. There is a cultivar for your zone. It's evergreen, smells heavenly all spring and off & on during the summer.

Here is a link that might be useful: Star Jasmine

creeping fig will only stick to a solid surface like brick, cinder block, or stucco. Just be aware it will dig into stucco or any rock or brick veneer so that it can't be removed without damaging the veneer. Also, the sap is caustic. I have a scarred area about the size of a deck of cards from a chemical burn caused by the sap I came in contact with when removing the vine from my stone veneer (it was lifting the stones from the cinder block underneath.)

In asia, its regularly used to cover the cement walls. and it will provide full coverage. I never had seen the plants we had at home give out sap though.. so cannot comment on that. I guess like most figs, it produces sap which can irritate some skin.

I wouldn't use it on the side of a house wall. Its a fence plant. It has destructive properties so don't do that.