Do I know a rose for you!!!! Jean LaJoie. Here is a link. This rose is actually a miniture climber. I have two of them on a small arbor.

Here is a link

Here is a link that might be useful: JeanLajoie

There are some wonderful small patio clematis from Raymond Evison. Here is an article about them.
At the end of the article are some clematis names you can google for more info.
Patti

Here is a link that might be useful: Patio Clematis

There is a knockout rose called 'Brite eyes'-a new climber that only gets 6-8'. I just ordered 3.

What about some morning glories? They would provide a long season of color, and there are so many really beautiful varieties.

Sue

Anne,

This was my first year to try Esperanza, and loved it! It remained in constant bloom through out our blazing heat and terrible drought conditions. The blossoms are a pretty lemon-yellow color, plus it's a hummer magnet.

I had it in a pot and let it maintain it's normal shrub like appearance, but I have seen it trained as a climber.

Here it is on my patio, about 2 weeks after I purchased it.

Marilyn

Wow! Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions!

Pat, I hadn't thought of another rose :-) I see on HMF, however, that Jeanne LaJoie can get to be 12' - will she stay small in a pot?

Pattioh, I did consider the Evison patio series, but was concerned about the heat. Can they take full sun?

Ellix - will look up Brite Eyes - thanks!

Sue, morning glories can take over the world here in So Cal - I'd be afraid they'd escape and get everywhere!

Marilyn, That bright pretty yellow Esperanza is new to me. Heat/drought tolerant is a terrific plus. I'll have to look it up to see how tall it gets. I have several eyesores to hide and need 4' to 5' of height.

Thanks, everyone!
Anne

Star jasmine (trachelospermum jasminoides) would work. It's kind of a slow grower. You would probably need to prune it once/twice a year to keep it on that trellis. Only drawback: sap is sticky milky white-- (only oozes when cut). A virtually carefree plant in your zone.
-Becky

Anne: I would think that you could keep it pruned down to what you want but I do think a pot would contain it. I just love her. She is my first to bloom in the spring and the last to go dormant in the fall. I'll try to find a picture for you. Patti

Hi Becky - I do know the charms of star jasmine :-) I have it climbing on that brick wall you see in the distance and as ground cover in a few other places. I was considering one of the other jasmines like pink or Arabian (though I've heard Arabian won't take full sun).

Patti, my local Armstrong nursery has Jeanne in their catalog... :-) Now you've got me thinking - maybe I'll have her climbing somewhere else if I decide on a jasmine or some such. While searching around, I came across a fabulous source for Passifloras. All very tempting!

Thanks.
Anne

Here is a link that might be useful: Passifloras and other vines

Patti, I am interested in growing a small climber---Jeanne LaJoie looks like a possibility. Am wondering if the color is pink, or more coralish? Armstrong lists the color as a "showy blend of pink and coral", while Heirloom Roses lists it as "marshmallow-pink". The Heirloom picture looks pink to me. Not sure if orange tones would work for me. Can you help? Thanks.
-Becky

Becky,

Have you tried the photos at HMF? It is pink that sometimes seems to have some coral hints.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jeanne LaJoie at HMF

Hi Anne, thanks for the link to HMF. Isn't that a great site! One of my favs for sure. It is tricky to get a proper feel for colors through photographs, though. The descriptions from different vendors oftentimes differ as well. Soooooo... this is where all of you experienced garden forumers come in.;)
-Becky