Most websites I have come across say Clematis armandii prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade. I have been told by an experienced garden designer that "it could likely grow" on a North facing wall, but would likely not flower very well. I need to cover a North facing wall (that may get a little bit of late afternoon sun) with an evergreen climber - I do not want to use English ivy since its a non-native invasive and grows too aggressively. Does anyone have experience with growing Clematis armandii on a North facing wall? Based on my research i'm pretty sure English ivy and evergreen clematis are the only two evergreen climbers that would work here in Vancouver, or are they?
Sensitive to cold winters so exposed north wall might be problematic. However, if planting site is not windy shade from wall might actually assist survival by shading foliage during cold and sunny weather. But: if you think the comparatively sedate ivy is aggressive, you will probably not enjoy the growth bursts of several feet at a time made by evergreen clematis. Euonymus fortunei might be the best bet for you. Two problems it may develop in this region are weevils and crown gall.
How about L. henryi: This is an evergreen, vigorous honeysuckle with purplish-red flowers between early and mid-summer, followed by purple-black berries. I've been growing it for several years in a shady spot and it is dooing great. Vigourous but easy to keep pruned and unlike C. armandii it has not shown any winter damage. The following site has lots of photos of it. http://www.fassadengruen.de/eng/uw/...rgreen_honeysuckle/evergreen_honeysucklet.htm
On a walk through the David Lam Asian Garden here yesterday I noticed a Hydrangea integrifolia growing to the canopy on the north side of a tree--lush all the way up. It was quite beautiful. Probably not an easy plant to find though. http://www.greatplantpicks.org/display?id=3046&searchterm=all
