Like most other plants evergreen clematis generates spent parts. The petals fall after the annual mass flowering, and the dead leaves pile up inside the vine over time. This is a problem when it is used on trellises or other intimate locations, the more so when this vigorous vine is not kept pruned and trained to have an open, graceful structure. Where allowed to bunch up in a confined space quite a pile of dead leaves develops inside of it.

Clematis are not poisonous. If a poisonous plant is planted the dog has to eat it to be affected. No garden center will be offering something producing acute contact dermatitis under ordinary circumstances.

If you let loose of the evergreen requirement then you can plant a non-fragrant deciduous hybrid clematis with showy purple flowers, such as the popular 'Jackmanii'.

Since I am looking for privacy, I would prefer the vine to stay green all year. I don't want my privacy to have to be a wood tangle that offers me no security from the outside world. :)

I would suggest trying a vine from the family Bignoniaceae.

Lavender Trumpet Vines (Clytostoma callistegioides) might be worth checking into. I live in the Sacramento area and have two of these and they are doing great. I have them growing up a stockade fence that I built a trellis on

There are a number of other Bignoniaceae evergreen vines that you may want to check out. Unfortunately many of these are in the red color family. If that doesnt bother you check out

Distictis buccinatoria-Scarlet trumpet vine
Bignonia capreolata - crossvine (Many cultivars)

Also check out Pandorea jasminoides - bower vine. I have a pink/lavendar cultivar but there may be some others more on the purple side.

Most of these can be found at Lowes, Home Depot or local nurseries

I hope that helps & good luck.

I am in zone 8 and I am looking for an evergreen floweing vine. Please help me.

Since you live in a warm climate, the following vine might work for you. If interested, Google it and see if you can find some full view photos of it growing on a support. The following description was taken from a plant vendor I use. I've got one ordered but have no personal experience to date.

Thunbergia grandiflora, clock vine

is a zone 8 perennial twining, flowering vine native to India. The tubular flowers of clock vine are about 3" long, sky blue to light violet, and are borne in clusters. Leaves are leathery and have a distinctive elongated heart shape. The plant grows fast in warm weather, easily covering a trellis or large section of fence in one season. Growth slows or stops in cool termperatures, and the top is killed to the ground after a freeze. In FROST FREE climates, it is evergreen. Clock vine favors quite rich, organic soil and needs structural support. It may need to be cut back often to control direction or size, or it can be allowed to roam free. Grow in full sun to shade. In hot summers, prefers afternoon or shifting shade. Provide moderate moisture. As a floral specimen, use both leaves and blossoms in arrangements. Outdoors as a perennial, plant alongside cannas, interspersed with ferns and hostas, or near a water feature, use as a house plant in zones where the ground freezes. Clock vine is an easy to care for plant that can quickly cover a fence or pergola. The gorgeously showy flowers and lush foliage make this a choice addition to any garden.

Avalanche clematis (Clematis x cartmanii "Blaaval") and evergreen clematis (Clematis armandii) are the two evergreen varieties of clematis vines. Other options are Akebia quinata, Lonicera sempervirens (honeysuckle), and Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star jasmine).

Also, I have two dogs and two indoor/outdoor cats that love to chew on my plants but have never been poisoned from the numerous poisonous plants in the yard. Many of the ubiquitous landscaping shrubs and plants are poisonous including boxwoods, rhododendrons, and many more. Your dog would have to eat an impractical volume of a particular poisonous plant part to even get noticeably ill.

There are far more than just two types of evergreen clematis including several that would be appropriate for a SoCal garden (less hardy in colder areas). However this thread is seven years old so I doubt the OP is still concerned about what vine to plant after all this time!!

I need a fast growing evergreen vine that will grow in clay soil in zone 6. I need to cover old farm fence and a light weight wire fencing on metal poles. Suggestions?