That's one heck of a fence to cover! My first reaction on reading the headline was "not", but having seen the space you have, I say go for it, but keep the shears handy.

I would try it. Russian Vine is very vigorous and will need controling. If it does become a nuisance all you need to do is th cut it off at the roots. We had one to cover a new trellace for a few years and the cut it down when it became unmanageable. It is an attractive climber.

I had one many years ago and regretted it because it just became a menace and went too wild. I understand your situation and the reasons why you are tempted but I would look at alternatives.

My parents had one and it covered the wall they wanted it to and it never spread to the rest of the garden. I took it out years later and put in some honeysuckle and clematis montana instead. Russian vine is vigorous but boring to look at.

Also russian vine is deciduous so looks very bleak in winter.

i actualy like the look of it sorry and it gets the wildlife . as beati sais your big wall is perfect but in your averadge garden it wouldnt take long to cross ya garden if you put cutting it back for a few days realy but as bulbaholic sais you just got to keep on top of it . its ever so soil friendly and can live in partial shade just as well . its tuff as hell realy which i think is a good thing . the only problem that i only know first hand is if your fence is a good newish sterdy one and if its not the creeper can actualy break the posts and pannels up . like i said mine did .its quite an incredible plant realy in its own way .i did see it in this oold 40 foot bye 40 foot ish with trees and shrubs etc and it had apserlutly smotherd the whole garden . i think its worth it in the right place but i mite for the weight thing do as garret has done .

Thanks everyone, I think I'll give it a go, if it becomes too outrageous I'll take it out. Mandy x

your welcome

"if it becomes too outrageous I'll take it out."

Prepare to hire a giant sized skip!"

:^)

Well it's in, I'm sure if becomes 'outrageous' I'll let you know (with pics of course), but no "I told you so's" please, lol. :-~

"Prepare to hire a giant sized skip!"
or have a good sized bonfire spot. :-)

If it's bad as everyone is telling me, Beattie, you'll see the orange glow from the bonfire in Cornwall :o)

It's like the much maligned leylandi. Fine if you keep on top of it but if you once let it get away it's a nightmare!

ive seend leylandi in a big enough garden full grown and they look lovley . i think as long as you keep on top of it it will work well on such a big piece of wall .