I had a similar problem and solved it finally after about 7 years with a present from a bird. Wild grape vine worked for me on a north-facing privacy fence and i'm planning on putting in more this fall.

I tried hydrangea vine but it was too harsh in Z5. Also tried many others, none did well.

Wild grape loves shade and fruits out for the birds as well. Fall color is iffy, but sometimes turns red if there is enough moisture, otherwise dries up and browns.

Virginia creeper is OK but pretty invasive. You might try Euonimous (sp?) because it does well and is semi-evergreen. Has been known to damage brick tho. However, neither have food for birds.

Wild Grape will need SOME support, but once established will cling to itself. I'd use some nylon string; you can just attach it to the eave of the roof overhang. My only nit about it is how much the Jap Beetles love it, but a little Sevin works for that.

Keith, thanks for the reply.
However, I don't want to use ANY support, so grape vine is out. So is euonymus due to the fact that it isn't reported as being invasive yet in my area and I don't want to help it.

Also, I thought birds loved VC?

So, after much thought I guess my question is now:

Boston Ivy or Virginia Creeper?

And I would still like to hear comments about Engelman's Ivy and whether it is much different than the regular VC.

Thanks
NH

You could put your virgina creeper in pot then just put pot in ground .I do that with some of my vines it keeps them under control.Works great just make sure to get a nice size pot and I get mine with a lip on pot, so in freeze I can just lift it out and put it in garage till it warms up.The lip makes it easy to hold on to it.