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

Thursday - April 20, 2006

From: Thorndale, TX
Region: Southeast
Topic: Vines
Title: Locating yellow crossvine
Answered by: Dean Garrett

QUESTION:

I am attempting to find a yellow crossvine. I am not having much luck. I thought I saw some growing in the Taylor area, but I cannot locate it now. In my memory, the flowers had brown dots on them.

ANSWER:

In the wild, crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) flowers are normally either entirely red/orange or they're red/orange on the outside with an entirely or partially yellow interior which sometimes extends out to the ends of the petals, presenting a yellow “face”. The yellow area may be a dark yellow or more of a pure yellow, sometimes with tinges of the red or orange that's on the outside of the flower. This may be what you saw. I could find no picture or description of a crossvine with entirely yellow flowers.

If you've been looking at nurseries, part of the problem may be that most of the breeding that has been done on crossvine has been for flowers that are entirely red or orange. Almost every commercial cultivar I came across when researching your question had an orange or red flower, hence the names 'Tangerine Beauty', 'Dragon Lady', and 'Atrosanguinea'. I kept hoping to come across a yellow or gold cultivar, maybe with a name something like 'Lemon Surprise', but none presented themselves.

If you haven't already done so, consult our National Suppliers Directory for nurseries in your area and contact them to find out if they carry specimens with yellow in them.

To insure that you get the coloring you want, you might also consider taking a cutting of a yellow-flowered crossvine you've seen and rooting it on your own. Locate a yellow-flowering plant in Central, Northeast, or East Texas and get permission to take a cutting (if permission is required in the area). Short, firm side stems of the current season's growth taken in late spring or summer are best. Remove at least a third of the leaves so energy can be devoted to root growth and treat the bottom end with rooting hormone. Place in loamy soil and keep moist and misted. Rooting should occur within two months.
 

More Vines Questions

When to prune Texas Coral Honeysuckle in Iredell, TX?
January 31, 2012 - When can I prune Texas coral honeysuckle? It needs to be pruned so that it will fill out. Also, how much do I prune it? Thank you,
view the full question and answer

Plants under Oak Trees in Austin TX
December 10, 2012 - Half of my small yard is in the shade of one big live oak and one kumquat. Nothing I plant grows in this shade. The other half of my yard gets sunlight. It is planted with Jasmine grass which grows w...
view the full question and answer

Evergreen vine for Wimberley, Texas
June 02, 2009 - I live in the hill country in Wimberley Texas. I am looking for a fast growing, blooming evergreen vine for a privacy lattice wall between small houses. Can you recommend one of several plants? Thank ...
view the full question and answer

Plant identification of vine with purple fruit
September 21, 2008 - Illinois: I have a vine, red stems purple fruit with grape like clusters (sweet.hope it wasn't poisonous)What is it?
view the full question and answer

Difference between invasive Chinese and Japanese wisterias and native wisteria
September 12, 2014 - Dear Mr or Ms Smarty Plants, Is there any way I can tell for sure if my wisteria is native? I bought it at a place when it was in bloom that sold a lot of native plants. I Would like to know for sure...
view the full question and answer

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