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
1 rating

Tuesday - March 10, 2009

From: Fort Worth, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Vines for pergola in Fort Worth
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I just bought a pergola for back porch 12 x 10 that faces east so gets full morning sun, looking to plant vines for looks and help with shade. Would obviously like something that complements the pergola, has nice bloom and/or fragrance, doesn;t grow way out of control, and obviously can handle the summer in north texas...any suggestions?

ANSWER:

Here are several vines that should do well on your pergola:

Clematis pitcheri (bluebill)

Gelsemium sempervirens (evening trumpetflower) is evergreen.

Ibervillea lindheimeri (Lindheimer's globeberry) has pretty flowers and very interesting fruit.

Lonicera albiflora (western white honeysuckle) will grow as a shrub, but does twine and climb.

Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle) is evergreen.

Passiflora incarnata (purple passionflower)

Passiflora lutea (yellow passionflower)

Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria)


Clematis pitcheri

Gelsemium sempervirens

Gelsemium sempervirens

Ibervillea lindheimeri

Ibervillea lindheimeri

Lonicera albiflora

Lonicera sempervirens

Passiflora incarnata

Passiflora lutea

Passiflora lutea

Wisteria frutescens

 

 

More Vines Questions

Looking for a vine to grow on limestone pillars.
February 24, 2009 - Could you please suggest a vine which would grow on the limestone pillars at the front of our home near New Braunfels? We would like something that is attractive but does not harm our home. The pill...
view the full question and answer

Identification of vine-like plant.
November 13, 2010 - I have a an odd plant that I bought years ago. It's like a vine. It has hard rubbery like leaves they turn inward and they are green. First a cone like shape grows then the leaves grow. I would like ...
view the full question and answer

Flowering shrubs and vines for San Angelo, Texas
May 28, 2015 - Hello What would be the best flowering shrubs and vines to plant here in dry San Angelo?
view the full question and answer

Growing non-native Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Central Texas
July 01, 2013 - Hi. I recently moved into a remodeled home in Taylor, TX, and have experimented with Cabernet Savignon vines before. I have a 1/2 acre and a chain-link fence I want to put vines on. (I have a book o...
view the full question and answer

Why won't my Campsis cultivar flower in Lowell MA
February 08, 2010 - I bought a Campsis trumpet vine cultivar in 2006 and planted near my fence in my yard hoping to cover the fence with the vine. Well 4 seasons later the vine has grown about 5 ft. in area but has yet ...
view the full question and answer

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