Native Plants
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - October 29, 2009
From: Livermore, CA
Region: California
Topic: Vines
Title: Vines for trellis in Livermore, CA
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for a native vine for a northern California location. It's Livermore California with a climate intermediate between the SF Bay and the Central Valley. Some frost in the winter. Maybe 10 days over 100 in the summer. The location gets full sun until late afternoon. I want to cover a trellis about 11' x 15' wide and 10'high. Would Wisteria frutescens work?ANSWER:
Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria) is not too likely to do well in your climate. Please look at the distribution map from the USDA Plants Database and you will see that it occurs in the eastern portion of North America. If you click on Texas on the map, the most western state of the distribution, you will see that it only occurs in the easternmost counties of the state where the rainfall and humidity are higher.
Mr. Smarty Plants can suggest several vining plants that are native to your area and should do well on your trellis:
Aristolochia californica (California dutchman's pipe) and here are photos and more information.
Calystegia macrostegia (island false bindweed) and here is more information.
Clematis lasiantha (pipestem clematis)
Clematis ligusticifolia (western white clematis)
Lonicera hispidula (pink honeysuckle)
Vitis californica (California wild grape) and here are photos and information.
Bay Natives in San Francisco, one of Associate Suppliers, lists the above plants for sale and offers a 10% discount for members of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
More Vines Questions
Native flowering vine for Central Texas
August 25, 2008 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I need a Texas native, flowering, climbing plant to climb up a post or trellis. Any suggestions? Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Non-native, invasive Asiatic Jasmine from Austin
October 25, 2012 - Is Trachelospermum asiaticum considered a native texas plant? Is there an example growing at the Center that can be viewed?
view the full question and answer
Care for a Campsis radicans in Yakima, WA
October 08, 2008 - I have a Campsis radicans it is in a 7" pot and the plant is 20" tall. It was a clipping given to me by a lady that is now out of town. My question is: I live in zone 6a so do I leave it in the p...
view the full question and answer
Plants in bloom in April in Stuart FL
February 24, 2012 - Can you tell me which plants I might reasonably expect to see in bloom in April of this year?
view the full question and answer
Is there a vine in Indiana with poisonous thorns?
December 27, 2011 - I was cut at the left big toe by a brownish/red thorny vine while tracking thru dry grass near the bridge exiting 278. I'm from Indianapolis, in 46208. Was wondering if I was exposed to a poisonous v...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |