Containment.

Question

I would love to cover my chain link fence with a flowering vine, but how do you contain it to not venture off the fence, spreading out of control. Reason being, I have English ivy that is hard to keep back. It’s also strangling my trees.

Answer 1

You need to prune vines once or twice a year. Some only grow 8 to 10 feet while others grow up to 20 feet or more. Clematis is a pretty vine that does not grow excessively and there are many colors and types (for pruning).

English ivy is considered invasive so you may want to remove it, especially for the sake of your trees. Also avoid trumpet vine (campsis radicans), Japanese or Chinese wisteria, and sweet autumn clematis. Trumpet honeysuckle is good but it will get very heavy on the fence if you don't trim it back once a year. American wisteria is OK. It is not a rampant grower like the Japanese or Chinese wisteria.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/english-ivy/english-ivy-alternatives.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/english-ivy/kill-english-ivy.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/5-fast-growing-vines

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/clematis/growing-clematis.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/evergreen-climbing-plants