Plan well where that Jeannie is going my friend. Ours quickly outgrew its space and sprawled big thorny arms all over. When we finally decided to move it, it had huge roots going deep into the soil that took 1/2 a day to dig out. The flowers are so dainty but that is one tough plant. I would give it more room than you think it will need.

Where in Austin are you, Or what kind of soil do you have. Confederate jasmine and cross vine are excellent choices. virginia creeper is another wall grabber. I can't stand english ivy. It can be so invasive here. So can virginia creeper, but at least it is a native. Coral Honey suckle is a good one too. passion flowers are good. if it is a protected area and you are in central Austin and you feel like gambling a little, I just love the aristolocia gigantum or elegantisima (sp?). If you are new to here I recommend "Native Texas Plants:landscaping Region By Region " by Sally and Andy Wasowski. Great aid to the Texas garden.

I really appreciate all your suggestions. I will look into each. Thank you! I'm not sure he will let me plant a hedge. I think he wants something that he don't have to deal with when I move out down the road. Ive been here for 4 yrs and plan on staying another 3 or so :p Cant do elderberry. Although I take the supplement when sick, I wouldn't try harvesting myself since some of the plant is toxic and all if it is toxic to dogs and I have a dog :p Carol I laughed at " it will take down a fence" I believe you though :)

I grow both 'Arctic Beauty' and 'Issai' (which is a different species and is supposed to be self-fertile but is also said to do better with a male pollinator. I grow them on the north fence - and prune regularly to keep the growth under control - more pruning needed out there now! I did get some fruit but it didn't ripen - and I'm much south of peren.all! I like the 'painted' leaves and grow the Arctic Beauty' mainly for that - if we ever get edible fruit that ripens, that will be a bonus :-) I like the look of the bare stems at the base as I'm trying to make it sort of look tree-like. When I checked hardiness ratings, I found a range of numbers, the lowest being 2, so who knows how they'd do for you?! Some pictures: - From the back porch just now, looking down on the north alley fence - everything is about 2 weeks behind in this coll, damp weather we've had here since early spring so the fence is a bit bare and flowers are late! You should be able to identify the kiwi by the look of the bare stems at the base (It's on the far right, with stems in need of pruning! The 'Serotina' honeysuckle next to it also needs some pruning!): 'Arctic Beauty' leaves: 'Issai' kiwi flowers - which sort of remind me of hellebore flowers...