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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| Evergreen vine for wall in Pasadena CA May 16, 2010 Hi, I am looking for an evergreen vine to cover my block wall. I saw star jasmine kept really flowing and wild and loved it but I don't like the way it will look when It blooms. I want a vine that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of heartleaf vine May 16, 2010 Howdy! I had a plant that I would like to replace but I don't know what it is, I was hoping you could help. It was a climbing vine with large (>6") heart-shaped leaves. The underside of the leaves ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problem with acanthus in Vancouver BC May 16, 2010 My girlfriend's Mom just planted an Acanthus in her garden. In the morning, it apparently stands up tall, but in the evening it bends over until the the leaves are lying in the dirt. She's concerned... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen flowering vine for wall in Tampa FL May 06, 2010 Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Tampa Florida and am looking for a non toxic, evergreen, profusely flowering vine to cover a wall. It needs to be cold hardy to approx. 20F. Thanks for your help View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need suggestions for a vine to grow on a fence in Crossville, TN April 28, 2010 I would like your suggestions on a vine to grow on a fence in part shade that would look good in winter as well as summer, if possible, for a site in Crossville, TN. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification for vine in Georgia April 26, 2010 A wild vine is taking over our cypress tree. Cypress tree is in our yard beside the fence. Very thick woods behind our fence. Leafs, on vine, resemble small maple leafs. It has orange flower balls.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification for vine in Kentucky April 26, 2010 Need to know the name of a plant. It grows in Eastern KY, south WVA and West VA. It grows alone riverbanks and creeks. It is a weed, in the spring it has a white bloom and bees work it like crazy. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native climbing rose for Austin April 25, 2010 Is there such a thing as a native climbing rose that would do well in Austin? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of large egg-like objects on vines in Texas April 17, 2010 This past weekend we were at our deer lease in Hext,TX. My children and I went exploring along the banks of the San Saba river and found what we originally thought were some type of turtle or turkey e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Late emergence of passiflora incarnata hybrid in Austin April 11, 2010 Two years ago I planted in my clay soil garden a variation on native passiflora incarnata; the passiflora Elizabeth (a cross between passiflora incarnata and passiflora phoenicia)because I hoped it pr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will trumpet vine strangle tulip poplar in Elkview WV? April 08, 2010 I have a trumpet vine that I planted to grow up a tulip poplar. I did not find info that it may damage the tree prior to doing this but have recently been told that it will "strangle" the tree. Is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vine in Ohio March 26, 2010 We were in our school's back yard and we found a vine that has green leaves and has a purple stem and we were just trying to figure out what is was? Can you help us out with that! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Crossvine for metal barn in Fredericksburg, TX March 23, 2010 We have a backyard metal barn, the small storage-type structures that are common. Hail knocked some paint off the metal roof and rather than repaint it, we want to install some plastic webbing from th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Perennial vine for full sun, Denton, TX March 19, 2010 I would like to grow a perennial vine that would tolerate full sun during the day. A flowering or non-flowering is fine. I do NOT want anything that is poisonous, i.e. Carolina jasmine, since this w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grapevine for pot in Ft. Worth March 19, 2010 Can I plant a grapevine in a large clay pot in Fort Worth, Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Prickly vine for fire escape in Boston February 23, 2010 I live in Boston area and would like to plant a prickly vine that will grow on my fire escape. What do you recommend? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why won't my Campsis cultivar flower in Lowell MA February 08, 2010 I bought a Campsis trumpet vine cultivar in 2006 and planted near my fence in my yard hoping to cover the fence with the vine. Well 4 seasons later the vine has grown about 5 ft. in area but has yet ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need plants to cover a fence and retaining wall combination January 27, 2010 Recently we replaced our fence and I need help with plants to mask an 18 foot section of fence/retaining wall. The fence guy set the fence back about 10 inches from the top of the retaining wall which... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blossoms but no fruit for gooseberries in Enoch UT January 16, 2010 My gooseberries always get loads of blossoms, but I never get fruit. I think they need more sun, and thus, want to transplant them to a sunnier location. What (and when) is the best way to do this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning Bittersweet Vine December 29, 2009 I am interested in learning how to prune my American bittersweet. The vine has enjoyed it's second summer in my backyard. I would like learn how to prune it, not only for size, but to help keep the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are grape vines killing oaks in San Antonio December 20, 2009 I have some large live oaks growing in sand on some property I have south of San Antonio that are slowly dying one limb at a time. Some large mustang grape vines are growing in and around them and I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine for privacy on a deck in Southern California December 10, 2009 I am looking for a climbing vine/plant that is non-flowering and can be grown year round in Southern California. We are looking to help create a private area along a deck for my grandmother because h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine to cover fence line in Bridgeport, Texas December 04, 2009 We are looking for a year round vine that will cover our fence line. Flowering and non-flowering. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What to do about mildew on Trumpet Vine? November 25, 2009 My Trumpet Vine tends to get mildew on its leaves. Any suggestions? Thanks so much. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native vine for California deck November 24, 2009 Can you recommend a native California vine to grow on our deck to cover a trellis under a deck? There is a canopy of live coast oak above the deck so there is bright, filtered light. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine for stucco wall in St. Petersburg FL November 21, 2009 I would like to cover a 15' stucco wall with a fast growing, low maintenance vine. The wall faces south. I live in St. Petersburg, FL. What do you recommend? Would star jasmine or creeping fig be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Control of invasive vine in North Carolina November 18, 2009 Hi, I live in Piedmont NC, have vines that twine around my shrubbery and are impossible to pull out of the ground w/o breaking because they are so thin/delicate. The leaves are maple-like (3 lobes), ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Spots on leaves of sevenleaf creeper in Austin November 14, 2009 Have 3 seven leaf creepers that are planted in mostly shade. In Sept & Oct 2009 all 3 plants had dried up leaves which fell off; however, all three plants grew new leaves when we got rain and are com... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Can a mustang grape and an oak coexist in Austin November 04, 2009 I have a healthy mustang grape vine growing on an oak in my yard. While the vine provides plenty of good food and a pleasant environment for many birds throughout the year, I feel it is overtaking the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vines for trellis in Livermore, CA October 29, 2009 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 ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Trellis plant for Southern California October 29, 2009 What is the best selection for a trellis plant? I live in Southern CA (zip 91701), and the area is on the southern part of our home with little or no shade. Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native vine to cover brick column in Houston October 28, 2009 I have a brick column (~20ft tall) in the entry way to my house in Houston, TX. I am looking for a beautiful native vine that'll cover the column and soften the look of the house. I don't want to us... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Invasive possibly non-native vine in Largo FL October 03, 2009 I have vines taking over my backyard, climbing all over the ground and up trees. The vines are huge, non-flowering giant leaves that look like elephant ears. What are these and how can they be contain... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Texas natives for a small garden with red flowers October 03, 2009 I have a garden that is 4' deep, what can I put there that is a Texas native, I would really like some color (preferably red)also it needs to be able to grow tall (8 - 10') View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native trailing plant for Nebraska October 01, 2009 I live in the tall grass prairie area of Eastern Nebraska and am working on some prairie restoration and native plantings. I have just put in a limestone retaining wall and would like to find a nativ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Attractive Native Vines to Cover a Chain Link Fence in Upstate New York September 19, 2009 Hello Mr. Smarty Plants. I live in Upstate NY (Albany) and my yard is bordered by an old chain link fence. I would like to cover the fence with a natural looking plant (I assume Ivy). What do you ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Orange-red caterpillar with black spikes on passionflower vine September 19, 2009 What kind of orange-red caterpillar with black spikes is all over my passion vine? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Salt-tolerant plants in Central Texas September 16, 2009 Do you have any suggestions for salt-tolerant plants in Central Texas? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grape Vines and spacing for Portland, OR September 10, 2009 Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a somewhat small south-facing yard next to my home (less than 8' wide). I would like to build a tall arbor for grapes that runs along the length of my home (about 4... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of a vine in Texas September 02, 2009 I am trying to identify a native vine in Runnels County, Texas. It is approximately 20 feet long, growing on a fence. The leaves are simple leaves, range in size from 1/2 " to 2" and thick (simila... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering vine in Tennessee September 01, 2009 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... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vine growing near river in New Hampshire August 31, 2009 I found a small vine growing near a river in NH. It has five point leaflets similar to sumac but much smaller. The flowers were pink with a deep purple/burgundy on the inside. The flowers are in clus... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Pipevine (Aristolochia sp.) found in Denton County Texas August 24, 2009 I am almost positive that I have numerous pipevine swallowtail in my garden in Denton County, TX. I read that the host plant for the larva is almost exclusively pipevine. Would any kind of pipevine be... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine for lanai in St. Augustine FL August 16, 2009 What vine can I grow to attach to a screened in lanai around my pool? Will it damage my screen? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Burned leaves on trumpet vine, Campsis radicans August 10, 2009 I have a trumpet vine, it is about 10 years old and I have never had any problems with it. This year I have noticed that the leaves on some of the branches are shriveling up, like it was burned with ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine in New Braunfels for Baytown, TX July 25, 2009 I have seen a vine in New Braunfels that looks nothing like the trumpet vine or trumpet creeper; however, the flower is almost identical. The flower is more pink though, and the leaves look more like... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagate a trumpet vine from a cutting in Toms River NJ July 17, 2009 Can you propagate a trumpet vine from a cutting? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Should a mustang grape be left near live oak in Austin? July 17, 2009 I recently removed a huge mass of jasmine from a clump of live oaks. Inside I found a very large (12' long) exposed root of a mustang grape. I'd like to trim it back to the original clump and reta... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-destructive vine for stucco in Albuquerque July 11, 2009 Is there a vine that can grow on stucco without destroying the stucco when removed? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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