I'm looking for a fast growing vine that will grow on a backyard wooden fence that is about 7ft high. If it has flowers it would be nice. Most importantly I need something that will grow quickly and easily. I believe I am in USDA zone 9b. Lowest average temperatures low 30's in the winter and mid to high 90's in the Summer.

Oh yea.....I'm also looking for something that will completely kill old shrubs that will NOT go away. I want to clear out that space and plant flowers in the Spring. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

You will find that vines are fast growing, require pruning, and training onto trellis to direct growth. If you do not mind the management of the vine, then a vine would be ideal. Trumpet vine has long been popular for its bright blossoms. Jasmine has a wonderful fragrance. One of the mandevillas with vinca-like blossoms would be lovely.

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1079/vines.html

Of course there are bougainvilla, honeysuckle, moonvine, passion flower, and the ever popular wisteria.

Study the characteristics of each vine, the need for trellis, spacing, pruning, growing requirements, etc. before making a selection. And, do not rule out climbing roses.

Old shrubs can be dug out and soil prepared for planting of vine. If shrubs have been cut and shoots continue to appear, kill with herbicide. Stumps can be fresh cut and immediately brushed with herbicide that will be absorbed by roots. Leaving roots and stumps will make for difficult soil prep for new plantings.

 

Whatever vine you pick, note how it climbs. Some stick directly to wood, others want to wrap tendrils around a certain thickness rope, others weave in an out of trellis.

Bylaws limit fence height, but as far as I know there's no limit on the height of plant supports.


As for killing shrubs. Try to extract the root ball by digging 'round it and levering on the trunk. An effective "herbicide" that's totally "green" and cheap too, is water. Boiling water dumped from a stock pot.