Dear Sally
I grow a beautiful Stephanotis floribunda into a Phoenix sylvestris. It now looks wonderful but has taken about 10 years (I live in Spain, Costa Blanca) to look fabulous. I do agree it is hard to prune the leaves as the dead fronds and seed heads need to be cut away carefully. But it can be done! This year it has bloomed twice which was a bonus! I think if you choose the climber with care it can be successful. Best wishes
Pamela