Evergreen vines can be used to create a screen to block an unwanted view. They can hide an ugly fence or old shed while bringing colorful, fragrant flowers and foliage into the garden. They can also be good ground covers, especially on steep hillsides.

Vines also do a good job of quickly providingshade, even temporarily, while waiting for a much slower tree to mature and cool a hot wall, patio or parking strip. Vines can perform these functions in a much narrower space than a tree or shrub would require, making them useful in small gardens.
Vines climb in three basic ways. Some vines twine, curling their stems around trellises or wires. Others form modified leaves or stems called tendrils that reach out and grab whatever is available for support. The third type has aerial roots or rootlike structures that stick onto (and can burrow into) almost any surface, such as brick, concrete, cement or wood. The first two types require support, and the third type must be located carefully as these vines can damage painted surfaces and wooden structures.

All vines need pruning to limit growth, to thin the stems and branches and to remove dead, diseased or damaged wood. Vines that grow rapidly may need to be pruned at frequent intervals. Some older plants may develop sparse foliage low on their structure and form a heavy mass of foliage at the top. To prevent this, pinch back the ends of the stems as they develop. Vines that tend to build up a tangle of old wood and thatch may not be the best choice for more permanent landscape situations as they will often need harder pruning.
Be aware that some evergreen vines can become invasive and have become a problem by spreading into wild areas of California. Gardeners should be cautious about planting vines like English or Algerian ivy near wild areas. These vines will also smother plants and can damage trees, buildings and fences that they cling to. Additionally, the foliage and berries of these ivies are quite poisonous when eaten.
One of the best evergreen vines for our area is star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). This twining vine needs support to cover a fence or other structure and also makes a good ground cover when left to sprawl down a hillside. It is tough, pest free and easy to grow, having glossy green leaves and very fragrant white flowers in spring and summer.

Two flowering evergreen vines that grow well here are sweet potato vine (Solanum jasminoides) and pink jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum). The Solanum has white flowers blooming almost all year. It is easy and tough but requires regular heavy pruning to prevent a tangled mass of thatch. The very fragrant pink jasmine has a short blooming season in late winter and early spring. It also requires heavy pruning after bloom since it produces flowers on new growth and performs well even when cut to the ground after blooming. It also tends to build up a lot of thatch.

The violet trumpet vine (Clytostoma callistegioides) has handsome, bright green, glossy leaves and showy, trumpet-shaped flowers from spring to fall. It grows well in sunlight or filtered shade and is drought resistant and virtually pest free. It blooms on the tips of new wood and should be pruned in late winter.

Hardenbergia violacea, the "Happy Wanderer" from Australia, is a twining vine that grows well on fences. The leaves are dark and glossy, and the flower clusters, which appear in winter and resemble miniature wisteria blooms, are usually violet in color but pink, white and other colors are also available. Hardenbergia would also make a good ground cover and can be successful in the difficult growing conditions found under eucalyptus trees. It is hardy to about 25ºF.

If you have a concrete or brick wall to cover in sun or shade ( I had a concrete water tank that needed covering), the creeping fig (Ficus pumila) will do the job. Creeping fig is not particular about soil. It will grow less aggressively in poor or dry soil. Once the vine matures, it requires little or no water. It sticks to anything and will damage wood or any painted materials but will do the job of covering any other surface.

Among the other vine possibilities are several varieties of Euonymus fortunei that have various colors of variegated foliage. Some types of evergreen honeysuckle (Lonicera) are also worth planting as they are especially attractive to hummingbirds. Both vines do well in our area. Consult your local nurseries and reference books such as the Sunset Western Garden Book for more choices and landscaping ideas and to make sure that your chosen plants are hardy and sure to grow happily in our area.