Gardeners: Vines for a shady area?

Cafe Society
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It looks like we’re going to fence a larger portion of the yard to keep deer out so we can grow more food and flowers that deer find tasty. Our jurisdiction allows a 6-foot fence, but that doesn’t stop deer, so the accepted technique is to run a trellis above the fence to bring it to 7-8 feet. Problems: The area we’re fencing receives no direct sunlight and is usually in shadow. Rhododendrons grow and flower there, but certainly not as robustly as they do on the sunny side of the house. In addition, the fence will have a double-wide (8-foot) gate that will not have a support upright in the middle, so anything we trellis across needs to be light enough that it won’t make the wire we’ll trellis on sag. Water shouldn’t be a problem because there is in-ground irrigation with an emitter nearby. We’re in Sunset’s Zone 6, which I think is most people’s Zone 7. We get some snow in the winter and generally don’t go below 30F or above 90F, though there are exceptions. I’d just go with evergreen clematis, bit I’m worried that it will be too heavy. We could also have two vines, one on each side of the gate, and hang something light yet deer-dissuading on the portion over the gate (like prayer flags or mobiles).

Ideas for light, quick-growing vines that enjoy shade?

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Vines for Shade

Unfortunately, 3 out of those 5 climb by roots or suckers, which makes them more suitable for walls than fences.

Akebia and porcelainberry are twining, however. I personally think the porcelainberry is prettier than the akebia, but ymmv.

On the other hand, porcelainberry looks to be pretty hard to manage. I’d probably go for the akebia.

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I like my Bittersweet vines. Mine are doing well in shade, and produce berries for the birds. You need to plant male and female vines to get fruit.

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Thank you. Other ideas? Has anyone successfully grown evergreen clematis in a shady area?

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My yard is shady and fenced, and I have evergreen clematis on both sides. It does very well, but it does not attach itself via roots or suckers. I use nail-in electric cable clips on the wooden fence to train it where I want it to go. I could use twist-ties as well.

I’ve also had very good luck with climbing hydrangea, but it is NOT fast-growing

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susan, it might help to know your location in addition to your hardiness zone. We can get Zone 6 in Massachusetts, for example. If you can grow an evergreen clematis, then your zone may be farther south than I am familiar. I’ll offer these comments for Massachusetts, where a list of invasive species has been put compiled. FWIW:

Invasive Plants:

Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental Bittersweet)

Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)

Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose)
Likely invasive Plants:

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Porcelain-berry)

Pueraria montana (Kudzu)
You may want to keep this in mind when choosing your vine.

With respect to Clematis (at least deciduous varieties), my understanding is that the roots want to be in shade, but the vine and flowers want to be in sun. This usually means planting the vine in the sun and protecting the roots with compost or understory plants. Also remember that there are different types, defined by their pruning methods. Some flower on new wood and have to be pruned down to the ground each year. Some flower on old wood, and won’t flower until the following year. And there are further distinctions, such as when to prune. Your nursery should be able to identify which types they have.