Hi Muddysocks, did you try any of the montana clematis? I had great luck with montana wilsonii, in mass it's quite beautiful, the fragrance is lovely as well. It completely covered my lath house. We have a few days in the summer that hit the 90's, mostly we're in the high 70's and low 80's.

A......

I was going to suggest clematis montana too, although not especially pretty in Jan and Feb.

I have c. montana Marjorie in a bakey position (well, as bakey as coastal Washington can be) in poor compacted soil at the foot of an ancient limbed up pine. It's a windy SW exposure where it doesn't get much water in late summer or Fall, although I do top dress the root zone with compost each Spring.

After a slow start and one year where a heavy wet late snow brought it down, it's thriving - and blooms heavily in May for a very long time.

Clematis take at least three years to do much.

Yes, I agree Clematis take awhile to get going, here's my wilsonii after ten years completely covering the lath house. It's not a great pic but, it gives you an idea of what it looked like. We've got a better camera now so should be able to get better photo's in the future. Last year we cut it back so I could hang my Fuchsias there again, at least for a couple of years. :-)

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Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1071090}}

I've got a chain-link fence really close to the house on the east side, 150'.
Previous owner planted evergreen honeysuckle which is doing well, very fragrant and the hummingbirds love it, plus other birds live in it. Clematis armandii is there too, doesn't like the heat, wants more shade, have it bungee-corded in a canopy over walk, is starting to flower now, white fragrant. Doubt it will ever grow big there because too hot. Other kinds of clematis there too, doing well. Also trumpet vine, good in late summer.

Neighbor had the most gorgeous prolific wisteria (planted years ago by another owner) against another chainlink fence, but last fall they dug a huge trench right in front of it and severed its roots. The murderous brutes! Wisteria just needs to be trimmed. It's so beautiful. Does really well here.

I've got a lot of star jasmine. A previously established bush is thriving. My little ones (10) are barely alive since the last 2 winter freezes died them down to the roots. Maybe if we get a mild winter they'll get established enough to thrive? All these growing on chainlink fence (150' X 75' perimeter). Last fall planted a whole bunch of vines from forestfarm, will see how they do.

Have a deciduous hydrangea vine which is pretty but small, slow-growing, and doesn't give the coverage I need for privacy. I'm thinking of doing a super no-no and planting English Ivy to finally get a green wall.

Wild songbirds really flit and flutter and hang out in mature climbing vines. As soon as I determine what will grow well in my yard and cover the chainlink, I plan to cover it all with vines for looks and birds.

Can't help...too busy laughing at the snout house...

mkirkwag - I have considered painting a pig snout on the garage door and a pigs butt on the driveway but my lovely husband won't let me. Keep laughing....

How about one of the ornamental grape varieties? V. vinifera 'Purpurea', 'Laciniata', V. coignetiae, etc.

With enough water, you might also be able to grow Campsis radicans or Lonicera henryi.

You might consider Clematis ternifolia (paniculata) - it is extremely vigorous and drought tolerant.