I have never grown a bignonia vine so I don't know if they are evergreen here. Clematis armandii is very common and is evergreen here. I have an evergreen honeysuckle(Lonicera similis var. asiactic) that is very nice. The blossoms are very fragrant and it's not invasive. I am sure other gardeners will come up with more ideas. Don't plant ivy it is very invasive.

Not all will work equally well in all situations and some will be considered "semi-evergreen" in most winters, but you could also consider Hydrangea seemanii or integrifolia, Trachelospermum jasminoides, Lonicera sempervirens, Akebia or Holboellia coriacea. And there are other species of evergreen clematis as well, however C. armandii typically produces the most successful results in this area.

I planted two camellia sasanqua on the west side of a tall fence and beneath an apple tree. They have done beautifully.

Sasanquas aren't very well known. I don't know why they aren't more widely grown. Evergreen, easy care, and winter blooming!!! Last year I had flowers from November to April - even with our weird winter weather! The blooms are often smaller, less double, and more fragile than C. japonica (the usual type we see here in the PNW).

There are lots of different types, but some kinds are 'viney' in growth habit and can be used along a fence or trellis. I just did an online search for more info for you, but could only find the one link that showed a whole shrub and mentioned that they are good for growing on a fence.

Like japonicas, sasanquas do well in shade, only need some water in the heat of summer and some fertilizer once in a while. I just tie up any long, floppy branches once a year or so.

C. sasanquas are available on the web, mostly from Georgia, and the plant descriptions don't say much about their growth habits. I found my two locally - don't remember where - but the 'viney' ones are easy to recognize. If they have branches at least 2 feet long or so, they will be very flexible and flop over.

I also have one white C. japonica espaliered against my house and I keep it VERY narrow very easily. The space between my house wall and the path to the back yard is only about 1 foot deep, and is mostly shaded.

I bought my C. japonica already espaliered against a 2 foot tall trellis. I just planted it with the small trellis which I later removed when the plant out-grew it. I ran horizontal lines of the green plastic-covered wire across it - just to give me something to tuck stray branches behind. I prune off any branches that are growing straight out (about twice a year) and add another line higher up as the plant grows. The branches are easy to manipulate if you catch them young.

If anyone knows of a good PNW source for camellias, I'd love to know about it. There are so many more types than show up in the 'box' home stores.

Daphne in Tacoma

PS Several years ago I planted a camellia near my front door that was supposed to be fragrant. I had given up trying to smell my camellia until this year when we had 90+ temps in the spring. I walked up the steps to my house, and smelled the lovely fragrance from several feet away!

Here is a link that might be useful: plant photo and some info

daphnexduck, I have avoided Camellias because they get so big and I have a small yard. Would love to see pictures of your espaliered one.

Sorry to hijack the thread.

Sasanqua camellias are a garden center staple here and have been for years. Definitely one of the best choices for furnishing surfaces, with bigger, more showy and fragrant flowers than most other choices combined with non-rampant growth.

Big camellias are multiple decades old and all camellias are quite amenable to pruning and training.

Clematis armandii is my suggestion. They like a bit of shade.

Whatever you do, do not plant English Ivy! Of course it's invasive, but it also invites vermin like mice and rats. (Just thought I'd mention that, in case anyone tries to talk you into ivy.)

I second the suggestion of this vine. I have been very happy with mine and having fragrant flowers in late winter/early spring is a welcome thing. It flowers for me despite the fact that I practice benign neglect (little to no supplemental water, no fertilizer and no regular mulching, forgive me, please.)

Mine is planted so its feet are in the shade but the rest of the vine is in full sun. (Granted, it isn't a hot spot here right on the coast.)

Many people are overwhelmed by Clematis armandii on a structure and soon end up with a mess. I like the C. x cartmanii selections being seen here now better but these may be destined to freeze out some future hard winter - time will tell. Similarly lacy-leaved C. cirrhosa may be more likely to stick around but does not produce an explosion of white flowers, usually instead somewhat curious yellowish ones ('Wisley Cream' is creamy-white, haven't noticed if it is available here).