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.
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?
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.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Vines for pergola in Fort Worth March 10, 2009 I just bought a pergola for back porch 12 x 10 that faces east so gets full morning sun, looking to plant vines for looks and help with shade. Would obviously like something that complements the pergo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What is wrong with my cross vine (Bignonia capreolata? March 08, 2009 I have a crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) that has grown and bloomed beautifully for about 7 years. Then last year the bloom was significantly less and the bottom growth almost nonexistant. The leaves ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen vine for Lake Jackson, Texas March 06, 2009 I have some lattice for privacy that I would like to cover with an evergreen vine or ivy. One is facing to the west, the other to the east. What would you suggest? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vine with dangling fruit March 03, 2009 I live in a hollow with rolling hills all around. there are wild grape vines, wild cherry trees, walnut trees, rasberry canes, black berry canes, a persimmon tree,(the asgtringent kind), maples, hicor... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| I need an evergreen vine to hide an ugly fence. February 24, 2009 I am looking to find a vine that will be on my south facing fence. I would like it to be evergreen as to hide my ugly fence. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Looking for a vine to grow on limestone pillars. February 24, 2009 Could you please suggest a vine which would grow on the limestone pillars at the front of our home near New Braunfels? We would like something that is attractive but does not harm our home. The pill... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native vines for pergola in Denton, Texas January 28, 2009 We ve built a pergola under our Post Oaks and Winged Elms. The soil is sandy, as you would expect with post oaks. Are there any native vines, hopefully with a pretty flower, that I might coax into g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine for pergola in Kilgore, Texas January 21, 2009 Have recently constructed a 10'X 20' free standing pergola with a 14' X 24' treated wood deck surround. The support posts are inset 14" from the outside edge. I want to grow greenery on the per... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for pavilion over fountain in Washington State December 26, 2008 I have a tall fountain in a 7 foot square which is surrounded by pavers. Inside the 7' square there is about a 2' mulched soil bed around the center fountain and an iron type pavilion that goes up h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Climbing plant for Maryland December 09, 2008 Hi I am looking for a climbing plant which is native to Maryland. I want the plant to climb up the front of the house to assist with cooling in summer and to make the house look more attractive. I wou... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine for planters in Houston, Texas October 31, 2008 i'm looking for a native climber/vine that would be suitable for a south facing facade that doesn't have a deep root system..to create a sort of green screen using planters sitting on the second lev... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Support for Climbing Hydrangea October 28, 2008 This past spring I planted a large climbing hydrangea at the base of a walnut tree which we have had to cut down this fall. The plant was very happy there and I'd like to keep it where it is but don... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Flowering vine that will bloom in East Texas in March October 08, 2008 What kind of flowering vine will bloom at the end of March in New Caney, Tex. 77357? View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native vine for privacy fence in Tennessee September 29, 2008 I am looking for a vine for privacy that grows in width not up; thru a standard 4' chain link fence. Colorfull. Can you help? View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vines for arbor in North Carolina September 14, 2008 Please identify vines that can be used for an arbor that fronts my garage and a portion of the house. Living in Zone 6, the arbor faces southwest. My interest is that the vine be non-invasive because... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Propagation of trumpet vine September 07, 2008 We have a trumpet vine growing in our yard and a friend wants to grow one in her yard. Can we dry the seed pod out and use it to start a plant for next spring? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Transplanting Virginia creeper September 02, 2008 I have a large Virginia creeper plant approximately 15 feet in length. Is it possible to transplant the whole thing without killing it? If so how do I care for it after it has been moved? Thank yo... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Niagara and Concord grape crop failure September 01, 2008 Hi, I have been growing niagara grapes and concord grapes for 3 years now and this year I found myself without any fruits. The plant itself if full of leaves and is healthy. I was wondering why this w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Inducing flowering on vines August 27, 2008 My daughter presented me with a lovely Passiflora coccinea a few months ago. It is growing marvelously in full sun at the base of a pine tree. I'm wondering, though, if I were to limit the amount o... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine for trellis in California August 15, 2008 What type of climbing flower/plant would grow best on a trellis in an alcove that receives morning sun from a south eastern direction? I live in San Luis Obispo, CA. I have had good luck with jasmine ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine for house in partial sun in Vermont July 27, 2008 we are looking for a climbing vine against the east side of our house, partial sun but need at least 20 feet tall, in zone 4, vermont View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How to get rid of invasive wild bean vine July 27, 2008 An invasive vine has taken over our beds, mostly wherever we have asiatic jasmine ground cover. We seem to be the only people nearby with this problem, and the volunteers with our local master gardene... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |