Photo 1: A full view of my recent addition of a seven level waterfall. Notice lattice at top center.

Photo 2: Closer view of small deck and lattice. Deck faces East. This photo at 3 pm, showing sun now behind the lattice, but full sun until then.

Photo 3: Closeup of planting area behind deck. Note the ivy in the left.

Now the questions...

1. I'd like a climber that will eventually fill up this lattice work. At the bottom of the hill is a new pergola where I just planted two Carolina Jasmine with yellow blooms, so I want something different for this lattice. Some ideas of what to plant please...

2. The ivy is invading from the neighbor's yard. I can cut it back or leave it alone. I'm thinking I should cut it back. Yes??

3. You see in photo 3 that I hav a thin area where I can up to about 8 inches of potting soil or whatever. How best to prep this area?