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
Wednesday - July 11, 2012
From: Grand Beach, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Xeriscapes, Vines
Title: climbing vine for growth in sand
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
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 please make some recommendations? Thank youANSWER:
Three native species come to mind. Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) is a rapidly growing vine that has showy tubular red flowers. It blooms all summer and is a hummingbird favorite. One potential problem is that it extends lateral roots and sends up shoots where you may not want them. A second and less invasive choice is Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle). This vine also has clusters of tubular coral-red flowers. A third choice is Celastrus scandens (American bittersweet). American bittersweet has non-showy flowers followed by colorful clusters of berries.
Coral honeysuckle is semi-evergreen, but the other two species are deciduous.
I do not find a source of these vines in your vicinity. You may have to mail order them from this or another nursery.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Vines for a cliff in backyard
October 17, 2010 - I have a large (25 ft) cliff in my backyard. Its too large to
use a retaining wall and occasionally some of the caliche slides down. I'm planning on planting vines at the top and letting them drape...
view the full question and answer
Plants to trail down wall in South Carolina
February 07, 2008 - Good day,
I am putting in a stacked mortarless concrete block retaining wall which will rise to the forest floor along a cut bank - about 4 feet high. Each course steps back about one inch from th...
view the full question and answer
Tough, Non-toxic Vine to Cover Fence in Washington
February 16, 2014 - I have about 150 feet of 6-foot high chain link fence that I would like to cover with a vine for privacy. I really want an evergreen or semi-evergreen plant that requires very little care. I also don...
view the full question and answer
Passiflora incarnata 'Alba' cultivar or hybrid from Birmingham AL
January 13, 2014 - Is Passiflora incarnata 'Alba' a cultivar or a hybrid?
view the full question and answer
Identification of a plant that looks like a watermelon.
May 21, 2012 - A wild plant came up in my bed that looked like a watermelon plant. It had small yellow blooms and then marble balls formed with prickly thorns. The balls were in clusters. What kind of plant is i...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |