Native Plants
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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| Problems with non-native Potato vine from Morgan Hill CA June 13, 2011 Greetings from Morgan Hill. CA. I have moved into a home that has a fairly mature (10 years +/-) Potato Tree which has some blue/purple flowers but very few new leaves, it looks almost barren. It gets... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Finicky Trumpet Vine in Stockdale Texas June 06, 2011 I need help dealing with a very old trumpet vine. It was my grandmothers and she died in 79. It's always been beautiful till 99 when my grandmothers house burned down. It was right behind it. It cam... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| No Grapes on Vines in Sonora, CA May 31, 2011 We have lived in our home since 2002 and have a grapevine that grows beautiful green lush leaves and vines every year but never has produced grapes. What can I do to get some grapes on this vine? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Carolina Jasmine failing to turn green in Pleasant Garden NC April 26, 2011 We planted Carolina Jasmine last year and it did great. This Spring we only have about 2-3 small green leaves beginning on the vines. We did not cut them back in the Fall. Is it time for them to be tu... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen vine for trellis in Fredricksburg, Texas March 27, 2011 Hello, and thank you so much for this service. I am looking for a non-deciduous vine to plant on the east side of my house. I have already put in a trellis, now I need to know what to plant on it. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-flowering deciduous vine for Phoenix AZ March 27, 2011 Are there any non-flowering deciduous vines native to the Southwest? I'd like to plant them to shade our windows in the hot Phoenix summers. If only perennials are available, can I cut it back each w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problems with purple passion flower from DeKalb TX March 27, 2011 Yes my purple passion plant, is pretty but there is a piece of it that's all limp, what do I need to do to revive it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| A vine to atract hummingbirds in MO March 08, 2011 I am looking for a non invasive vine to plant on a trellis near buildings/brick patio to attract hummingbirds (and other birds and butterflies). View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vine with edible nut in Chattooga County, Georgia March 01, 2011 From an email to this Master Gardener- The lady said when she was young her grandmother had a vine that grew along ground that produced small edible nut. As kids they called them chew-chews. Any idea ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants to tumble over a retaining wall in OR February 10, 2011 Please recommend plants that I could use to plant on the ground space above a 4 foot high, 150 foot long unattractive concrete wall that would grow over and down to cover the wall. The area is very sh... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Should grape vines be covered in winter from San Antonio February 07, 2011 Do I need to cover grape vines in winter? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Mystery vine in Alberta, Canada February 01, 2011 Recently, I came across a vine (looked like virginia creeper/clematis type base - heavy and woody like) in Calgary, Alta - it was climbing on a metal fence that was approx 4'tall - unfortunately the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification of vine with hard brown bulb-shaped fruit January 19, 2011 I was given a brown hard bulb-looking ball with rough tiny dots on it and told it comes from a vine that changes to beautiful colors and these balls hang off the vine. A lady in Houston grows them a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Getting rid of a small itchy vine in Granbury, Texas December 24, 2010 I am clearing an area near some trees that has never been "domesticated". There is a little itchy vine that grows pretty extensively (not very much top growth, but is all over the place). The smal... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a wild vine in East Texas December 17, 2010 Trying to identify a wild vine that grow 15-20 feet up our trees. The leaves are dark, glossy green about 2-3" long. The edges are smooth and elongated. Each leaf is placed to the right and then the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fungus Spots on Native Bush Honeysuckle December 03, 2010 My native bush honeysuckle plants that I have along my back fence have leaves that are turning yellow with spots. It appears to be a type of fungus, but not powdery mildew. Any suggestions as to what ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Eliminating non-native Asian Jasmine in Austin December 02, 2010 I have a large bed in front of the house full of jasmine that was planted by the builder 25 years ago. What suggestions do you have to eliminate it and prepare the bed to plant native flowers and pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for seed for Clematis drummondii in Granbury, TX. November 29, 2010 I am trying to landscape with native Texas plants. I want a Clematis drummondii and have no idea where to get one. I read it grows readily from seeds, but I cannot locate any. Can you help. Also, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vine in North Carolina November 11, 2010 How can I send a picture to you of a vine that I can't seem to identify? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of purchased vine November 11, 2010 Hi, I bought a hanging vine plant, and came with no id. The leaves are simple, alternate arrangement, entire margin (smooth edge margin). It has an ashy look, like the green purple sage. The flower ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is the green pod on a trumpet vine October 23, 2010 I have a Trumpet Vine that bloomed for the first time this year. After the bloom season, I noticed a single pod hanging on the vine about the size of a large green bean. What is the purpose of this ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blooming challenges with oakleaf hydrangea and bittersweet vine in KY October 03, 2010 1. I cut back my oak leaf hydrangea last fall and it did not bloom this past year. Problem? 2. I have 3 yr old male/female bittersweet plants growing heartily, but no berries. Problem? Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How Will Termite Fumigation Affect a Figvine September 26, 2010 Will a termite fumigation kill a 19 year old figvine that is growing on a stucco house? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification of vine in Ohio September 21, 2010 I have a vine in my forest that grows up trees, that could eventually pull them over. It has roundleaves and prickers on the stem. What is this vine so I can research it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vine in California September 19, 2010 Recently a volunteer vine appeared along a fence line in my yard. It has grown rapidly, has small, vaguely heart-shaped leaves, tendrils to climb with and tiny yellow flowers. As the flower fades a fr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need a vine to cover a 8' cinder block wall in Fullerton, CA. August 23, 2010 Hi- I have a 8' cinder block wall that gets full sun, and need to find either a flowering shrub that would cover, or a vine that wouldn't be to hard to manage, or would not need to use a trellis.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Jelly from wild grapes with a few peppervine berries from Dunnellon FL August 20, 2010 Thank you for your quick response to my question. Due to your answer, I am going to make jelly from this juice. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of trumpet vines from Dallas August 19, 2010 Can you tell me about trumpet vines, can they be rooted in water? I heard they reseed at the end of their growing season. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Peppervine fruit in wild grapes for jelly from Dunnellon FL August 19, 2010 We picked some wild grapes for making jelly. We have about 8 cups of juice. We think about 4 or 5 berries from the Peppervine might have gotten in with the wild grapes. Is this enough to make the ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need some information about wild native grapes in Gatlinburg, TN. August 13, 2010 We have some wild grapevines growing on a southern exposure eroded bank. They are providing assistance in reducing erosion with rapid growth. Do these plants develop ground contact as they grow? In... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant ID of growth on wild grape vine in New Bern NC August 08, 2010 There are purplish cone-shaped things growing on my wild grape vine. What are they? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Mystery vine in Marlboro NJ August 05, 2010 I have a patch in my backyard where we planted pumpkins last year but it does not look like pumpkin vines to me. The vine is smooth and the leaves are long and oval that come to a point. There are s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vines for fence in Gatesville, Texas July 26, 2010 Dear Mr Smarty Plants, My wife and I are looking for a nice vine or Ivy for our chain link fence to add a little privacy. We have 4 dogs that bark at anything that moves. We live in Gatesville Tex... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Fast-growing vine for cinder block wall in Albuquerque July 26, 2010 I live in Albuquerque, N.M. and have a cement/cinder block wall and was wondering if there is a vine I can plant which will be easy to grow, grow fast and cover my wall without any type of help like a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Allergic reaction from vine in St. George Island, FL July 24, 2010 In the panhandle of Florida, we have a vine that looks like a blackberry vine. Seems to be poisonous. It has thorns that are dark purple and leaves a blistery, itchy rash. The leaves are green and ruf... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vines for Austin, Texas July 23, 2010 I have heavy clay soil that is very wet during rainy season. I would like to plant climbing, blooming native. Crossvine and trumpet creeper are doing well but need another vine for an area that gets f... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Rash from non-native potato vines July 21, 2010 Here in No. CA we have two potato vines that over the last 5-6 years have flourished gloriously. Just this year, we went to prune them (as we normally do once or twice a year), and both my husband an... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen vine for San Diego, California July 11, 2010 I am looking for an evergreen (San Diego) vine to grow on a newly constructed trellis. Its 12' tall by 8' wide and is on the North side of the house. That area seems to only get sun June and July ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification--vine with spiny pods in California July 05, 2010 I came across a vine while hiking in Orange County, CA. It didn't have flowers on it but has 3 or 4 inch spiny pods. What is it? The vine itself looks similar to a Morning Glory vine. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vine with gourd-like fruit June 30, 2010 We live on a farm, and I have noticed a vine that has leaves like grapes, but produces this flower, and a fruit that is rather large, shaped like a gourd, right now green in color. It is growing over ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native Vines for Pacific Northwest June 30, 2010 Hello, I recently built a shed/pen for my large dog. I have a trellis horizontal above the fence to hide the shed from street. I live in Pacific NW. Do you have any suggestions on a nontoxic evergr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native evergreen vine for St. Paul MN June 17, 2010 I am looking for a native vine that will stay green, or at least keep its leaves, throughout the winter. The vine will be grown on a trellis between our house and our neighbor's, and we want to keep... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Will wisteria grow in LaQuinta CA? June 13, 2010 I have moved to the desert, near Palm Springs, CA from Omaha NE where I was an avid gardener. I would like to know if wisteria will grow in this environment, with temps up to 120 several weeks each su... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Care for large trumpet vine in Hugo MN June 09, 2010 I was recently given a large Trumpet vine that has been growing in the same place for the last 25 years.I have replanted it and given it a large trellis to grow on.I live in central Minnesota. My ques... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering vine for trellis behind fountain in Anaheim Hills CA June 05, 2010 We are looking for a flowering vine to plant on a trellis surrounding a water fountain. The fountain splashes leaving the soil constantly wet. We have tried numerous vines, but they all die due to t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant to hang over and cover a wall May 21, 2010 HI! this is a stumper for me! I have a 6 foot wall bracing a hill on one side and a lawn on the other. It is currently cement and I would like to find something to cover it --evergreen would be the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trumpet vines on wall in Longmont CO May 18, 2010 I purchased three trumpet vines to plant on the NW wall of my house back in 2002. Although the leaves are a beautiful healthy dark green, none of them have ever bloomed despite regular fertilizing pe... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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