I’m in Zone 9b, and our summers are getting hotter (inland East Bay), with temperatures often exceeding 100°F. Any recommendations for vines that can handle the heat?
Not with that fence if you want it to last.
For quick privacy, use privacy sheeting first. Then, plant bushes set back from it. In a few years, you can remove the sheeting.
The fence can be upgraded if needed. What’s the issue with it?
And the faster the plants fill in the sooner they become high maintenance because they don’t stop growing.
Additionally, depending on which hemisphere they’re in, it might take some time for the vines to really take off.
What type of fence would you recommend? A chain link fence with metal posts set in concrete and plastic privacy inserts could last up to 50 years.
Fences typically aren’t designed to support a lot of weight, especially metal wire fences. Once they bend or stretch, they won’t return to their original shape. A section of that fence could end up supporting vines that weigh around 100 pounds. Plus, remember that the vines will die back in the winter, leaving you with a big job of clearing them out so new growth can come in the next year.
I don’t think the fence can hold the weight of anything planted on it. A good vine that provides the privacy you’re after would probably be too heavy for the thin wire and poles. A better fence could provide privacy if you built it to do so (like panels or wood slats). If you wanted to go with a new fence that isn’t a solid privacy fence for cost reasons, it’s often advised to not plant things directly under or on the fence because you’ll inevitably have issues with rot, mold, pests, and maybe drainage from irrigating the vines.