Cordeledawg, I see you are in zone 8a. Does that mean the P's die down in winter? Do you have freezing winters? How long is your summer? Some of them are excessively rampant here in zone 10a. I've already demolished 3 of them due to my inability to be organized enough to keep them to a decent, manageable size! (P. Edulis, P. Quadrangularis and P. Alatocerulea/Belottii). That has not stopped me from aquiring them again,however....as I missed the fragrances/fruit.
Structure-wise, a wire fence is an excellent support providing the supporting posts are strong and can hold the fence up when the P's become mature and heavy. There is a very long 6'+- fence at Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead, Fl, encircling the large Citrus enclosure. This long and high fence is being used as a support for different types of fruiting P's. Its a very effective way to hide the fence, and gain the beauty and fragrance of the flowers and a very good high, 'off the ground support' for the fruiting types. Yes, it would be most attractive. I think in your zone 8a, you'd not have to worry too much about the rampantness as we do here in zone 10a.
I have many P. Subarosa's (corkyvine) a Byrons Beauty in the ground, as they are constantly devoured by the butterflies so seldom take over. They are supported by the bamboo structures I put there or just plain nylon string. I twine the tendrels around wherever I want the vine to move to or just turn the vine around to curl on itself if I think its going out too far. I keep the others in fairly large pots so I can control them better, supported on Home Depot wire arches which are pretty strong, or 3/4" bamboo poles whipped together with strong nylon string, in a fanning out ladder design The 3 bamboo 'legs' are literally 'pushed' down into the pot to ensure the stabiltiy of the structure, as when the vines get going, they are pretty strong. At some point, when my inner garden becomes a little more vegetated again (hurricane Wilma pretty well demolished it) I'll put a few more of these vines in the ground and they can climb up some of the tall Clerodendron Speciosissimum shrubs without me having to worry about them too much.
Anyhow,in order to maintain the desired level of growth in the pots one has to keep them trimmed fairly regularly. In your case, you'll probably have far more flowers and fruit than I do due them being planted diectly into the soil and also to less trimming.
At your local County Extension you'll find information about the grasses, plants & vines etc which would be ideal for your area and how to plant and care for them. Give them a call. Its an agency that's funded by the Government, all services are free and if you have a problem with bugs, soils, water or anything to do with Horticulture, you can take cuttings, leaves etc. into them and they'll identify and help you solve the problem of whatever is ailing your plants etc. You can also call them and discuss the problem, and they will do research and call you back with the answer. Every state has this service. Unfortunaltely, its just not well advertised. All the info comes from one of your Land Grand Universities in your state. Every bit of research they do in this field, is directed to the public via the County Extension. Do pass the word around as its important that people know of this service. Master Gardeners will be there to aid you.
I really think you have the ideal height and length for a wonderful asortment of Passi's. So many of them are fruiting as well as fragrant. Do please post pics when they bloom.
I hope this helps.
