English ivy is not a twining or grasping vine, so it wouldn't do well for the ideas you had regarding it. It attaches itself to an object by rooting onto or into it, and would require a permanent rough surface, rather than any kind of mesh or wire.
Arborvitae is what comes to my mind also, as your best bet - and the more fragrant types might hold their own a little better against deer. If you could companion plant something that would help protect them against deer (with high fragrance, thorns, or that tasted bitter to them), perhaps you could enjoy the best of both worlds? That's what I'm hoping to do with my plantings.
