Knowledgebase

Looking for vine that will screen year-round #929724

Asked April 26, 2026, 11:31 PM EDT

Hi there! We are trying to screen an unsightly view of our neighbor’s dilapidated garage. We planted a row of junipers to provide screening but still have a gap at the end where the garage is quite visible from our deck. My idea was to add a very tall obelisk or tuteur (8-9 feet) and plant a climber to cover it. Ideally this plant would provide screening year-round with the branches and leaves blocking the view even in winter and early spring (doesn’t need to be evergreen). I was initially thinking about a climbing rose, but the branches of our rose bushes always die in the winter and have to be cut back in the spring. Does the same thing happen with climbing roses? Would it take months for them to grow tall enough to cover the structure every year? Can you recommend a climbing plant that would meet our needs? Rose, clematis, honeysuckle? Thanks!

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for your question. It has been assigned to me. I will attempt to provide some meaningful information. While I'm working on it, look at the following site. It might help you in your thinking.

https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/landscape-design

As I understand your question, your primary objective is to hide the view of the neighbor’s garage that is just behind the red arrow in your picture. I assume you would like this to be a year round situation, though achieving this in winter months might be challenging. I see a potential conflict between this objective and the use of an obelisk or tuteur. The garage roofline is quite broad. I wonder if one or more narrow vertical elements would provide sufficient lateral screening. It might take several years of growth for this to happen.  In addition to the height provided by a supporting structure, you also need more width and mass.

What about removing the small juniper by the arrow and replacing it with a larger tree or shrub?

Another possibility might be to add a section of fence in the area by the arrow and add to the height of the fence. A trellis could be added to this additional section on which a flowering vine could be growing.

Your thoughts? Thanks for consulting us.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 28, 2026, 11:42 AM EDT

Loading ...