My hydrangea vine grows on the North side of our house, with virtually no sun at all, and it's moist there; that's what they like. I'd say it's a great bet for the space you're looking at. It grows well, it grows fast and it looks pretty.

I think I spotted a few willow screens at Loblaws. But you probably would be more successful if you visit garden centres.

Hydrangeas will work in dark areas but I'm not sure how it will work in a mucky and clay soil. However it is the ideal plant for dark corners. Whatever plant you choose, you need to condition that soil to provide good drainage Also choose mature plants so that it can reach whatever sunlight that's available. Vines that require regrowth from the ground each year, will not work. If the top area is sunlit, you can probably install a mature wisteria.

Sounds like a good place for pots if you ask me. Put in a couple of pots with vines already started in them. Move the pots for overwintering. doesn't sound as though you need pretty pots if one can not see the bottom. Find a very hardy vine that will grow in the pots or bury them in winter. I like the sound of hydrangeas. There is a honeysuckle that works in low light as well.

Good luck!

I hate..almost..to suggest it, but hops will grow almost anywhere, and get to amazing heights. It dies off in the fall, (you remove the old wood), and then, in the spring, up they go again. It can be a thug (especially if you let it grow to seed, where the babies will pop up everywhere). It's very popular in Calgary, with their short growing season, and will cover an ugly fence in a month.
I grew some up a drainspout at the side of my house..here's a shot.
{{gwi:529113}}

This was the spring after the first wintersown vine.

I got my seeds from 'Sacred Seeds' in Toronto.

Wendy, I hadn't known of this store and so thanks for relating this information. I note they sell Richter Herb products and so I'm excited about that. It's so accessible downtown too.

Ianna