Question
Laura, I live in Brisbane Australia!  Would this make a difference to your choices?


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Followup To
Question -
Hi Laura,  I have recently built a multi level deck around my house and the largest area is quite close to the road and people walking by.  I wish to use this to entertain and was thinking about putting a screen of some description around this area from sail post to post.  I dont want a heavy screen so I was thinking of a vine of some description from about hip to chest height.  I like the look of something similar to a grape vine with a thick old looking 'trunk' (although I cant wait 20 years).  Is there anything that you could recommend that would look similar and give some privacy but not a full look.  I was going to run stainless steel wire about 150mm apart as a runner.  Hope you could give me some advise?
Answer -
Billy,
The large flowered Clematis vines would be nice.The colors are dark and vivid.Purles,Red,pink,white.They don't go crazy and get out of hand,and they do return every year.You can keep it trim with very little care.

A climbing or rambling rose would be pretty and fragrant,however you need to take into account the pruning most roses will need and then of there is the thorns to deal with.

If you want a pretty annual vine,the blue "Heavenly Blue" morning glory vine is beautiful and the night blooming Moonflower which is basically a morning glory but it has huge white saucer sized blooms that open only when the sun starts setting and at night and cloudy days,but it is a gorgeous vine when you see it open.

I will give you some sources on the internet that you can see different types of vines.
Here are some great sources to look at on the web:White Flower Farm,Musser Forests,Wayside Gardens, Shady Oaks Nursery,Walters Perennials(or Gardens),Jackson & Perkins,Khelm's Song Sparrow Perennial Farm,Van Bourgondien Bulbs,Van Dyck's Bulbs,Brent & Becky's Bulbs,Plants by Mail,Gardener's Supply Co.,Bluestone Perennials,Sheperds Seeds,Applewood seed Co.,Ball Seed Co.,Genesis Seeds,Ltd.(www.genesisseeds.com),Kieft Seed Co. USA(www.kieftseeds.com),Mountain Valley Seed,Inc.(www.mvseeds.com) Jackson& Perkins,Seymour Seeds

All these companies offer free catalogs too and a lot of specials if you order online.

Good luck with your garden project!

Answer
Billy,
I have no idea if your climate is similar to mine.I live in Western Kentucky in the US.Our average winter temperature is approx. 36%F and our average summer temperature is approx 75%F.

We sometimes have severe drought periods.One severely dry summer we broke a 100 year record in our area for drought, going 4 months with no rainfall. Talk about survival of the fittest! Only the strong prevail and if a perennial plant can go that long without water then it's a keeper.

That is the only thing I can compare climates with since I have never been to Australia.
Sorry I can't give you clarity on what plants will thrive in your plant zone. The best thing for you to do is go to your local nurseries and neighbors are also very helpful.You can just observe what they are growing well and get plant names from them and more than likely if you know someone that gardens a lot they would happily give you some cuttings or rootings of their own plants.
I ALWAYS have too many plants when I divide my over crowded perennials. I take them to other customers houses as well as my own or a family member.
Well,you have fun working and I hope you have a pretty screen for privacy and entertaining as well as beautiful for passersby!