I have that condition in my yard, it has been a major headache (for me). I basically treat the area like a 'full sun' area, because the baking summer sun in the afternoon fries any partial shade plants (that I have tried).

I do have luck with gardenia, and daylilies can handle that type of exposure, but they aren't vines.

I would try Hardenbergia, or else something that goes dormant in the winter. The American wisteria is supposed to be easier to manage than Chinese wisteria (I have Chinese, I don't find it to be too bad, but you have to like to prune).

Are you looking for a particular flower color? A climbing rose might be a nice choice, too. I'm not familiar with Alpine clematis, but it looks very pretty!

Here is a link that might be useful: American wisteria

This post was edited by melle_sacto on Sun, Apr 7, 13 at 22:37

This spot will have a backdrop of Clytostoma callestegioides vines, so a color that goes well with lavender would be nice. But I'm more concerned with finding something that will do well at this point, I considered planting some sweet peas there just for this season to see how they do.

I fear wisteria would be too much of a battle to keep in bounds, the spot is the 'destination' at the end of a spiral pathway thing so I want it to be attractive but not take up too much room. A rose might work, if it was small, shade tolerant, and didn't have too many thorns... I might have to poll the rose forum to see if any of my collection will fit the bill.

A climbing rose will be somewhat dormant in the winter...so being in shade will be okay. Good luck, your garden sounds really pretty!

"Vine" and "restrained grower" are polar opposites, unless you want sweet peas. ;-)