A good easy to control climbing plant?

Sounds like the perfect spot for a clematis!

Jacqui

A couple of years back I planted a hybrid Flying Saucer Morning Glory on the back fence. It really is a beautiful plant, with gorgeous blooms. I can tell you one thing, don't obtain one of these plants if you are looking for something easy to control. . .I swear that thing grows about a yard a day!

Last summer, I went on a little trip, and when I came back, it was over the gazebo, in the Cherry tree, and on it's way to the neighbor's house! . .Totally amazing!

I've seen beautiful Clematis however. . .and yes, they are very nice - a little easier to handle.

Myrl Jeffcoat

I would go with a clematis vine. Have you checked to see if the roots of the shrubs have invaded every inch of the area? If so few vines would thrive in that spot.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Sounds like Clematis is it! I haven't thoroughly checked the area yet but I think there's a decent amount of soil there. Just to verify this with those of you who've grown clematis before...is it pretty easy to keep in check? How often (if at all) do you think I'd have to trim it to prevent invasion into the shrub? Or does clematis usually prefer to climb upwards rather than out? Thanks for your help!

Clematis climbs upward. When they're very healthy, they'll grow outward a bit. Actually, it's more a matter of there being too many branches to fit onto the trellis, so they'll twine around the nearest thing. But, they don't grip so tightly that they'll strange the bush, and it's easy to pull them off. And, in winter, the grippers (whatever they're called) become brittle, like dry twigs, so they're easy to pull off of whatever they've gotten cozy with.

. . .and they come in a variety of wonderful colors;-) Heck!. . .maybe I'll even plant one!

Myrl Jeffcoat

Perfect. Thanks everybody!

Before planting...prepare the hole VERY NICELY. The plant's gonna live there for many years. Do it right. Do a little research.