Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Saturday - January 17, 2015

From: Baton Rouge, LA, LA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Shade Tolerant, Vines
Title: Thorny vines for a shady Louisiana fence
Answered by: Guy Thompson

QUESTION:

Do you know of a fast growing, non-invasive, thorny vine that I can grow along a shady fence row in Baton Rouge, Louisiana?

ANSWER:

A climbing rose is the logical choice.  Rosa setigera (Climbing prairie rose) would seem to be a good plant for your location.  Other wild roses are not so well suited to your area. Another possibility is Smilax bona-nox (Saw greenbrier).  You may not find the latter plant in a nursery, but it is commonly seen in shady thickets, at least in Texas.  It grows fairly slowly, but provides a good barrier when mature.

 

 

From the Image Gallery


Climbing prairie rose
Rosa setigera

Sawbriar
Smilax bona-nox

More Vines Questions

Identification of vine in North Carolina
November 11, 2010 - How can I send a picture to you of a vine that I can't seem to identify?
view the full question and answer

Flowers for monarch butterflies in Bastrop, Gonzales and Travis Counties of Texas
March 05, 2013 - Hi Mr./s. Smarty Plants, What are some flowers that grow naturally on a Bastrop, Travis, or Gonzales county riverside that monarch butterflies commonly feed on? Thank you
view the full question and answer

Vine for pergola in Kilgore, Texas
January 21, 2009 - Have recently constructed a 10'X 20' free standing pergola with a 14' X 24' treated wood deck surround. The support posts are inset 14" from the outside edge. I want to grow greenery on the per...
view the full question and answer

Flowering vine for shade in Southern California
May 11, 2012 - Flowering climbing plant for shade in Palm Desert, CA.
view the full question and answer

Failure to thrive of passion flower in Tunbridge Wells England
April 08, 2013 - I planted my passion plant 3 years ago and I have really looked after it. I think this winter has killed it, it looks so dead. I hope it can be saved; there isn't one part of it that is looking healt...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.