The street light is on my property, but belongs to the city. I don't plan to seek permission, knowing that I risk being told to take the vine down. I think that's unlikely, but don't want to alter the light pole itself by, e.g., attaching netting or other supports (I could put a short wire cage around the pole at ground level to help get a vine started).

I'd be more likely to try a tall trellis next to it and grow something like clematis or one of the non-invasive honeysuckles. The smooth, large diameter metal surface will be a challenge for most types of vines, though you may get suggestions from someone else. Most vines either twine stems, tendrils or leaf stems around some small diameter object, or have adventitious roots from the stem that hold on to rough surfaces.

A few vines have hold-fasts that perhaps might cling to smoother surfaces, but I am not sure that they will hold on to smooth metal, and I don't know which of these vines will grow in TX.

Thank you, NHBabs, the trellis is a good idea. Or, I could make a 360 degree cage (like I do for my tomatoes). I don't know of a clematis that would withstand the west Texas sun through the summer. Maybe a hybrid trumpet vine??

Rosefool

I can't help you with choosing a plant, since I grow in a really different area. I do know that there are places in TX where clematis will grow, but I don't know if Austin is one of them. You might get some good suggestions on the Texas Gardening forum.

I think you will be more likely to have problems with the city or utility if you completely surround the lamp post with your trellis since it will block their access for maintenance.

English Ivy

Just don't let it grow on your house! Pain in the butt to remove. Stained.

Thank you, Sandra. Do you think it would stain or mark the black metal of the streetlight?

If it's black metal I would use them. It won't be seen if you or someone decide to remove them in the future. If you cut the vines don't remove them for 3 or 4 days. If you cut and remove right away that's what makes all the little "suckers" on the wall/brick/metal stay attached and look stained. It's a vigorous vine but very pretty and easy to grow. Good luck.

Land btw...it's English or Bostan Ivy. I can't remember which one. They sell it at Houston Garden Center so I'm sure they will have it at your local big name nursery if you can't find it at Home Depot or Lowes.

The plant in the picture looks like Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Boston Ivy or possibly even Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia creeper. It's a bit too distant to be certain. Both are deciduous and very vigorous and I don't think either would be suitable for the lamp post (which is how tall BTW?)

English Ivy is Hedera helix and is evergreen. The plant on the house in the photo is definitely not Hedera helix.

Any chance of a picture of the lamp post?

Hi floral,

thank you you for the info. I estimate the lamp pole to be about 20 feet high. I will get a photo and post it.

Floral it is extremely vigorous!! Still pulling when I see it come up! Just pulled this one today.

I guess it has runners because it popped up in the middle of my flower bed.

If that plant is the same as the vine on the house then my ids were wrong. It isn't Parthenocissus tricuspidata or quinquefolia. It still isn't Hedera helix either. I don't have my glasses on but if anything it looks more like Campsis radicans Can you show the vine itself rather than the shoots from the flower bed? I'll look in again after work .... with my glasses on ;-)

This is an old picture. I removed the vines last year. I will look again for new growth and post enter pics.