How big are the attached containers? The vines you mention form pretty big root systems and I am not sure the containers/planters are large enough to support full vine growth. Especially in summer when you would most likely need to water at least daily if not more often.

Good question and will edit that in the OP.

The box is by 16.5'' wide x 10'' high xx 19.5'' deep

That's larger than I expected but still not very big, especially the depth (top to bottom). I grow a number of clematis in containers but most are around 15-20 gallons and that still cramps a few of them. Your containers are only roughly around 11G.

btw, fragrant clematis are not all that common and most that are fragrant get very large - armandii, SAC, montanas, Sweet Summer Love, etc. The flowers are quite seasonal as well, meaning none will be in bloom for the entire growing season. You can give it a try and see how it works out. I'd also have some concerns about wintering them over in such a small soil mass.........

Thanks! Yeah I don't know if it's even worth it try the vines now when it's fairly close to winter.

Without knowing the root size would I have space for the vines AND something else to put in the front part of the planter? Or just vines?

Just the vines :-)

That's what I figured :) Thank you! That'll definitely help the look--and smell!--of that space!

That is way too big of vine to try and keep confined and healthy in that small of a container! It is also listed as invasive in many parts of the country and is in flower for a very short period of time in late summer/early autumn.

I might try an annual vine instead. They grow fast but won't outgrow the container size, tend to flower for an extended period and no worries about wintering over. Both hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) and sweet peas are fragrant, but there are many others that will offer a long season of color, if not a fragrant scent.

If he wants to try it...let him. He can treat it like an annual. Further, I don't criticize some of your dubious suggestions.

Having grown and spec'd personally ALL the plants I suggest for several decades, the suggestions are not dubious at all and I resent that implication. There is not much available to criticize about my suggestions. Have you ever grown SAC? It gets enormous....sources quote 8-10 meters!! That's 25+ feet!! And if you attempt to keep it pruned smaller, you will effectively remove any flowers, which is the only reason to grow this vine.

Purple hyacinth vine

Yes I have...I am referring to some of your northwest suggestions for the hot & humid Mid_Atlantic.

Sorry, but I am not buying that without specifics. I am well aware of what will tolerate heat and summer humidity and what will not.

Thanks for the comments on plant/vine recommendations!

Frankly, could do without the argument about who knows better though.

Tell me about it.

I don't know if you'd be interested in annuals, but a sweet pea vine might do. Some varieties go around 8' tall in a season, bloom beautifully, but do lack fragrance. You can save seeds from the old vines (which are toxic, so I might not recommend this if you have children at That Age) and re-sow after frost the following year. Seeds won't breed true, but you do get some fun games of "What Will I Get This Year?"

You can play the same game with the peppery-scented annual nasturtium, which will climb given half the chance, as the lilac they half ate two years ago will attest. Blossoms are technically unscented (Brightly-colored flowers often are). They reseed easily, or save seed for the following season.

In both cases, you can leave the dead vine up over winter for winter interest, just as I do with my clematis and morning glory.

(Nose in the air attitude) And of course I've personally inspected every single seed of every single plant ever grown of these for many centuries and can personally guarantee they're perfect for your garden. /crap :-)

Agreed...it is hard to argue with a know it all.

Sorry Doug but your mockups are often thrown together looking or otherwise not very real world, with plants that are not going to all fit in the same space for any significant length of time or don't look that well together right from the start. For instance in this case how likely is the OP - who asked about climbing plants - going to be happy with cannas that will not overwinter in the main planters, have to either be dug out and stored under cover every fall or replaced each summer?

And the rose in the completely different kind of container does not really relate to the main combination at all, looks therefore as though it was placed in front of it - where it is having a blocking rather than harmonizing appearance - temporarily in order to do something like clean the pavement over where it usually sits.

Ryan, sorry if your question got derailed but sometimes postings are made with obvious misstatements that should be rectified so as not confuse the OP or anyone else. Some folks seem to resent their pronouncements be corrected or amended at all and immediately go on the defensive with insults and personal attacks. Back and forths will typically ensue :-) It ls just a part of forum life.

btw, vining sweet peas, Lathyrus odoratus, tend to be very fragrant when in bloom - the species name means "fragrant or perfumed". And some varieties, especially the very fragrant heirloom cultivars (Cupani's Original, Painted Lady, Watermelon, Royal Wedding, Black Knight, Lord Nelson etc.) DO come true from home collected seed.

Sweet pea scent will vary widely by cultivar--carefully left unmentioned above--and can be influenced by temperature, time of day, rainfall, and many other things. Most of the ones I grow have gorgeous flowers, and little scent. But my allergies? Oy, let's talk about my allergies!

And one must, of course, be quite careful to choose said heirlooms for best fragrance, and to make sure they come true. Growing another variety nearby, or having a neighbor within range who does, can risk the entire production with just one bee. Fortunately, self-pollination happens, but...one can never be sure.

Even my "heirloom" plants drift over time. With a limited population, and simply by cherry-picking (so to speak) seeds, you'll find that you'll end up with a changing population of plants. I, both consciously and not, have chosen characteristics to emphasize from a relatively inbred population and that's resulted in a set of salvia that are close to four feet tall. Melampodium that are more orange than gold.

And yes, Ryan, we do have to apologize, apparently some people have way too much time on their hands to carefully cherry pick their facts to disprove what others are saying without disclosing the entire truth of the matter. They should know better, eh? Well, as we've discussed, these are sad people and better left to stew in their own devices while being forcibly corrected.

Mercy.

Now for another opinion on the other clematis known as SAC, Sweet Autumn Clematis, the native one, Clematis virginiana. This is a petite vine in my book. The bloom period is late summer for two to four weeks (when you get the scent) followed by totally cool looking seed heads. It's got nice deep green compound leaves and and is attractive all season long. It has grasping tendrils and is not a twiner and could attach to your screen panels by itself much better. It is deciduous though and that would be when you could prune it hard if needed because it blooms on new growth.

It may be native, but it is also horribly invasive and has roots like steel cables. Aaarg!! I would think it would overwinter just fine in those containers in your DC zone 7a cement enhanced micro climate most years. A polar vortex would be another matter, but it is hardy to zone 3.

If you want more greenery than just the vines, more pots to plant in would be best.

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a379

"Mercy."

Unlikely when that kind of attitude gets thrown. :-)