How to grow VC on chainlink in Zone 2

10 years ago

Hi. I've decided to grow Virginia Creeper on my chainlink fence. My local Horticulturist said VC is pretty much the only vine that will stand in chance where I live (so I doubt it will be very invasive). I want the VC to completely cover a chainlink fence. My question is, how to I train VC to do this? Does pruning the leader give more side branches so coverage is better? How do I get the best effect? I am willing to train, thread, prune, etc in order to get full coverage. Thanks.

Featured Answer

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

10 years ago

The issue with Virginia Creeper on a chain link is that it climbs via suckers, modified tendrils that cling to a surface. Since chain link doesn't provide that surface it will involve a lot of weaving, and some folks have a severe reaction to the vine, so I would wear protective gear (gloves, long sleeves, etc) if there is any chance you will react. Also, Virginia creeper sends shoots at or under the soil surface to pop up in other places, and the fruit is appealing to birds, so you will find it in other areas. I've been trying to remove it from a garden bed for 15 years or so, and I still find it popping up every year.

Have you considered alternatives? Without a photo, it is difficult to suggest alternatives, but they might include other vines, shrubs planted in a row in front of it, or even a roll of bamboo attached to the fence. I think the key to helping potentially border line selections survive will be to mulch them well each fall to reduce depth of freezing.

I think your local horticulturalist may be a bit overly cautious since I can find other vines actually being growing by folks in your zone:

I looked up on Clematis on the Web for zone 2 clematis, and there were 7 that came back. Stanley Zubrowski, who I think is from Alberta, has bred several very hardy early blooming clematis. To get the list, go to the search page linked above and leave everything but the zone blank. I know that Silver Star Vinery has Joe Zary, but if you are in Canada it is listed by Clearview Horticultural, and though not currently in stock, a local nursery may be able to get it. I can't guarantee it is hardy, but Mr. Zubrowski says it is, so it would be worth a shot, well mulched. Most nurseries will put all vines of the same species in the same zone, so in general you will find these listed as zone 3, but I would think you have a good shot with these since the breeder/raiser says zone 2. I have had good success with plants that while not supposed to be hardy in my zone, have certain selected varieties that are.

For other vines, you could plant fast-growing annuals such as bean plants, or you could look at all the various posts relating to vines in zone 2 in the the Far North Forum here on GW. There are some types of grapes mentioned as growing and surviving the winter in zone 2.

Here's a nursery that has some other clematis plus a selection of American Bittersweet selected for zone 2.

The advantage of bittersweet, grape or clematis is that they will happily grow on chainlink. Bittersweet grows by twining its vines, while clematis climbs by wrapping leaf stems, and grape has tendrils that wrap around narrow supports like the chainlink.

With any vine, you will have to plant several along the length of your fence and will have to encourage them to grow sideways by going out every few days to guide the vines.

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Comments (8)

Jackie zone2b
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you so much for all your tips, I will look into them. I live in central Alberta. We do have a heck of a time trying to find nice things that will grow here...not just survive, but thrive.
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NHBabs z4b-5a NH
10 years ago
One more source, though this is of seed, and germinating clematis seed can be challenging. However, you might be able to find someone raising these plants, or there is a post on clematis germination on the Clematis forum.

Gardens North has several zone 1 and 2 clematis listed.
wisconsitom
10 years ago
For years, I've had VC on a hogwire fence. It has had zero difficulty growing on this. A vigorous vine, I wouldn't think you'd have to even touch it to have it do what you want it to. We sure don't have to weave ours, lol! Sprawling and aggressive, this native vine is a good one in my book.
Jackie zone2b thanked wisconsitom
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
Tom, I would love to see a photo of VC growing on a hogwire or chain link fence. Like Babs, I would have thought the wire would provide no purchase to the holdfasts or rootlets that are what make this vine a climber, in much the same way a climbing hydrangea needs more of a solid substance to attach to. But I'd suspect that if the vine was vigorous enough - have no idea about that in a zone 2 situation - that it would simply drape itself over the support rather than firmly attaching. The hydrangea can do similar........as long as not in an overly windy location!!
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
10 years ago
I stand corrected, Tom. The one I have been trying to remove from a bed has never climbed up any of the shrub stems or clematis supports in the bed - it only sticks to the rock wall if it reaches it. I honestly wouldn't have expected it to climb a wire fence.
Jackie zone2b
Original Author
10 years ago
I have chainlink and some mesh fence surrounding 3 sides of my plot. Part of the east side, with mesh fence running N-S, has good exposure to the sun with some partial shade in the evening by bush to the east of it. I am strongly looking into Clematis now for this part at the very least. Already have Lois Holes Perennial Favorites open in front of me (she was from Alberta) and checked out that Clematis website to learn more. I don't want to pick a bad choice plant and regret it later, but I do want success with any plant I pick. I doubt the Clematis would look all that nice in the heavy shade part of the chainlink run. Still researching hard and thank you ALL so much for helping me out, I am really listening. Any more suggestions please throw them at me.
wisconsitom
10 years ago
Heh, now I'm going to have to take a peek at the vines, which BTW have been utterly rampant growers-for more than thirty years now on that wire fence! Not one bit of help on our part has ever been required. Thing is, your words above (gal and others) have made me wonder just what climbing mechanism the vine is using. You know how you live with something for so long that you don't pay it any attention? that's the case here.

But I assure you, Virginia creeper can easily climb a wire fence.