What vines will co-exist inside an existing shrub or tree? I've done clematis in the lilacs which is a nice look. And hops climb up my weeping willow. I'd like to dress up some of my fruit trees in the same way. Any good combinations you've had luck with? Photos are always nice...

Oh, wow! I love the idea of clematis in the lilacs! I may have to steal that idea! How close to the base of the lilac do you plant them?

It's perhaps 6" away toward the backside, it would depend on how gnarly the roots are of your shrub/tree. I cut the clematis back to about 1' in early spring, then I kind of train the young shoots in the directions I want them and cut back wayward vines. I actually fooled my sister with this, she was puzzling over the lilac leaves and the clematis blooms before realizing it was a mix. Tree accessorizing.

That is a really fun idea! But my lilacs are a bit aggressive. And they're as tall as the first story of the house. Hmmmm. Time to take some cuttings and see if I can get some spares started.

Ivy
Hummingbird Vineup side of garage but will climb a tree just as easily...
Fall Clematis

Pretty pics, J. I initially had a fall clematis in my lilac, but it was a bit too overwhelming. It was gorgeous in bloom, but we ended up having a heavy wet snow in the winter which was caught in the clematis twinings and snapped a lot of limbs. Out it came the following spring. Yours appears to be in a sizeable tree that can handle it.

How does the hummingbird vine climb? That looks like a good candidate for my plum tree, it would be really pretty if it bloomed against the purple plums. I'll have to check into that one.

Climbs using root-like aerial holdfasts. Can be (and usually is) rampart, often invasive. On the other side of the coin, it really attracts hummingbirds and makes a positive visual statement.

How does climbing Hydrangea do in your area, Deb? They're slow, but if you don't mind that part, they can be stunning... eventually!

Clitoria.
Bignonia capreolata.

What about some host plants for butterflies? Passiflora? Aristolochia?

Tiffany, here are a couple pics of my climbing hydrangea. I'm fairly certain it would take over the world if given a chance. I love it. But, I don't think I would trust it as a companion in a tree, it would likely smother it similar to English ivy.

That's fantastic, so pretty! How long did it take to get that big? Are the trees you want to plant vines on very small? Sorry if I misunderstood. These Hydrangeas are commonly added to mature trees in public gardens and Arboretums in OH, one of the reasons I would use for timing a visit. The baby one I added to a tree a few years before I moved to AL was growing at less than a foot per year, though I wasn't able to water it, at the base of a thirsty cottonwood tree. And you do have the answer to how it does in WA - very well!

I would love to see a photo of a hydrangea climbing in a mature tree - sounds spectacular. My plant is about 25 years old. When I first planted it, it rather moped for a couple years with very little growth. Then - bam - it took off and never looked back. The trees I am looking for a companion vine to are all fruit trees, mostly semi-dwarf, so I think a hydrangea would simply overpower them.

Yes, I agree, I'd want a large, mature tree as host. Man, I moved before my plant 'bammed,' if it was going to. Maybe shy about someone peeking at it constantly, and did it after I left... Don't know where any particular image is from, but goog has some images:
https://www.google.com/search?...
I would never have the guts to do it, but I love a vine on a building too. I think yours is perfectly placed!

Since that darn thing cost $25 (over a decade ago,) I've tried to see if I can see it on that tree on google earth but there's just not quite enough resolution...

I have let Honeysuckle vine just ramble. You never know just where it will end up.