A climber that has worked for my parents for years is Fatshedera lizei. Now this has flowers, but nothing like a climbing Hydrangea. Also, it takes a bit of work to direct it upwards. In any case, it works well facing north. It is also evergreen, so has lush foliage all year. New growth might be damaged by a late frost as well.

One more that can work is certain climbing roses. Probably not it's preferred environment, but some will grow and bloom just the same. I wish I knew the varieties! Sorry. Take care.

-Brian

Akebia quinata, is a fast growing vine, I believe it will grow in shaded areas, mine gets partial sun. It flowers and the scent is reminiscent of chocolate, they come with different colored flowers, pink/rose, white, or the dark wine color. There are also varieties with either gold or silver variegated leaves, these two need more sun to keep their variegation. This vine twists and twines so would need something to climb on. Depending on what your winters are like it might even keep it's foliage. Mine doesn't.

A......

Zephirine Drouhin is one of the roses that will flower on the North side of a house and is a little more resistant to powdery mildew.

I have the same problem. I've tried the akebia the last couple of years. It does grow quickly, but I've had trouble getting it to fill in. It wants to grow straight up. I've cut it back to the ground (for the second year in a row) in an attempt to get it to branch out.

I'm going to check out the Zephirine Douhin and Fatshedera lizei....any other suggestions for us?

You might check on the shade or vine forums for more info.

Here is a link that might be useful: similar question on vine forum

Specimens I have seen offered here under the Platt cultivar name were actually climbing hydrangeas.

Ellen,

Perhaps it was a gardener waiting for a vine to mature that nominated patience for virtuosity ;-)

In a location probably not at all unlike your own, I decided on a mix of hydrangeas, camellias, aucuba, and a schiz 'Roseum'. When I planted the schiz, I checked my V meter and decided that I'd have to settle for ignoring the vine's progress for now in order to reserve what precious little patience I had for the bigger fish I have yet to fry :-)