Hello I'm looking for a a climbing plant that will be happy in full shade (in Vancouver). I want to plant it in a north east exposure between two buildings to act as a privacy screen on a porch. Any ideas/ suggestions would be most welcome. If this is completely unrealistic please let me know too. Thanks.
It's possible. Akebia is a nice evergreen climber. It will perform/flower better with more light, but will grow in full shade. Ivy grows vigorously in shade, but many are invasive problems in this area and should not be planted (especially English ivy, Hedera helix and other Hedera spp.). Deciduous vines like Schizophragma hydrangeoides or Parthenocissus (Boston ivy, Virginia creeper) are possiblilities. Here is a link to a previous thread on the topic: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=9340
The Hillier Manual of Trees & Shrubs lists these and some others ("for North- and East-facing Walls"): Akebia quinata Celastrus orbiculatus Hedera (most) Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris Muelenbeckia complexa Parthenocissus (all) Pileostegia viburnoides Rubus henryi var. bambusarum Schizophragma hydrangeoides Schizophragma integrifolium
