Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Tuesday - September 01, 2009
From: Memphis, TN
Region: Southeast
Topic: Vines
Title: Flowering vine in Tennessee
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'm in Memphis, TN & have a flowering vine growing wild behind my A/C unit. Not the sort of vine that twines. Small blue flowers bloom out of pods; flowers only have two petals. Blooms last only one day; by sunset they have disappeared, but the vine blooms again next morning. Flowers resemble columbine flowers. Thanks for your help.ANSWER:
Here are a few possibilities, although none of them fits your description exactly:Centrosema virginianum (spurred butterfly pea)
Clematis crispa (swamp leather flower)
Clitoria mariana (Atlantic pigeonwings)
If none of these is your mystery vine, please take photos and send them to us. We will do our best to identify your vine. To read instructions for submitting photos, please visit Mr. Smarty Plants' Plant Identification page.
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
Non-invasive, native vines for flood wall in San Jose CA
April 12, 2010 - I was hoping you could help me with some information on vine selection. I am interested in selecting three vines for a flood wall application. Non-native species are acceptable, so long as they’re no...
view the full question and answer
How to distinguish male and female grape vines in Gage OK.
August 19, 2012 - Are there male and female plants for wild grapes? If so, how do we tell the difference?
view the full question and answer
climbing vine for growth in sand
July 11, 2012 - I live in Grand Beach, MI. My house sits on a sand dune. I want to plant a flowering vine that will grow up a fence. The area has plenty of sand and I have a trickle watering system. Can you pleas...
view the full question and answer
Are vines harmful to bricks and mortar?
July 09, 2010 - I am really fond of native vines such as crossvine, coral honeysuckle, American wisteria and carolina jessamine.
I love the look of vines on walls and I would like to add this to a landscape design.
...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
