Native Plants
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
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| Vines for Madison, Wisconsin March 12, 2015 What are some good options for non-aggressive native vines for southern Wisconsin? I am looking for something that can cover a chain-link fence and benefit local insects. I don't want it to take ov... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Non-Toxic Flowering Vine for Sunny Trellis in California March 12, 2015 I am looking for a flowering trellis plant that is non-toxic to my dog, will grow in the California area that I live in, and will be in full sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need advice ab out raspberry root in Merced CA February 14, 2015 I planted a raspberry root the day that it started raining hard. I was just concerned about the root rotting since there is so much rain going on lately. Will I need to replace it or will the root... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Milkweed species for Central Texas February 11, 2015 What milkweed should I plant in the flood plain behind my house on Brushy Creek. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will Bittersweet climb on a streetlight pole? February 05, 2015 Will Bittersweet climb on a streetlight pole, or does it need to be with a tree? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Carolina Jessamine Toxic to Honey Bees? January 20, 2015 Is Carolina jessamine toxic to honey bees? I have read conflicting answers. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Thorny vines for a shady Louisiana fence January 17, 2015 Do you know of a fast growing, non-invasive, thorny vine that I can grow along a shady fence row in Baton Rouge, Louisiana? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Fast-growing vines for the Texas Hill Country January 17, 2015 What are the best fast-growing vines for our Hill Country location? The vine will be growing on a stucco wall, so we don't want the vine to grow into the stucco and destroy it. Location has morning ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants for a moist, wooded area in North Carolina December 06, 2014 I am looking to plant some native flowers in a wooded area in Surry County NC. The chosen location is fully shaded beside a creek. The water table typically sets about 2 feet below the surface of th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is the fruit of Melothria pendula edible? November 22, 2014 Is the fruit of Melothria pendula edible? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is there a simple way to November 12, 2014 Is there a relatively simple way to "guess" how old wild grapevine is? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| California Vine for Privacy Screening November 06, 2014 I have a two story house going up behind my back yard. I would like to plant a climbing vine with non-invasive roots to provide privacy. I live in Los Angeles and the trellis would receive almost full... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of a vine with red berries in Weatherford, Texas October 17, 2014 I have found a vine with red berries that I would appreciate an ID for. How can I send you a photo or two of it? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identity of vine growing in Naples Florida September 15, 2014 I live on country/residential property outside of Naples, Florida. This year I have had dozens of seedlings of some type of vine popping up all over. I have posted on a couple plant blogs looking for ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Aggressive vine with purple flowers in South Carolina September 12, 2014 Found an aggressive climbing vine with purple flowers in out vegetable garden. This garden was cleaned and new dirt, mulch and manure was put in in the spring. It was raked out after the infusion of d... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Flowering vine with yellow flowers in Nevada August 10, 2014 A flowering vine started growing in our Henderson back yard about 2 months ago. It has variegated green leaves & yellow flowers. We decided not to pull it out & now it's spreading. I've looked on v... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of bush/vine with purple berries August 09, 2014 I was clearing fence line and came across this plant it looks like a Bush but underneath grows like a vine it has long broad leaves that reminded me of Polk salad but it grows berry clusters the berri... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of vine with feathery leaves and deep pink flowers July 28, 2014 I have growing up my porch what appears to be a vine with feathery leaves and small deep pink flowers. There is no water sources near by. Can you tell me what it is? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Where in Texas can Vitis rupestris be found for collecting seeds and cuttings July 27, 2014 Where in Texas can I collect in the wild - cuttings or seeds from the Native American plant Vitis rupestris? Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Ripe fruit of Melothria pendula (Guadaloupe cucumber) July 22, 2014 I see the pictures of the guadualupe cucumber plant. The fruit is still green. When it matures does it look like a small tomato? I have noticed the vine when the fruit is ripe. This is in McLennan C... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Purple leatherflower with white bloom July 17, 2014 A couple of years ago at the wildflower center native plant sale I bought a purple leatherflower according to the tag. This is the first year it has bloomed and the blooms are pure white. The shape ma... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| cultivating the invasive Passiflora incense July 16, 2014 Hello! I have been collecting passiflora for a while now, recently I purchased a "P. Incarnata" from a local nursery where I have gotten a few other species to grow along my herb garden recently. No... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identity of vine with orangish flowers July 09, 2014 I am looking to ID what I believe is a vine growing plant that blooms orangish flowers. I have pictures of the plant, and have attempted to use multiple plant ID websites. But have been unsuccessful. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Growing Grapes in Southern Texas on an Arbor July 02, 2014 I've redirected several grape vines (from the top third of a broken oak tree) onto an arbor. The base of the vine is about 3 or 4 inches in diameter. Is it feasible to work with (prune) the smaller b... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native evergreen vine for East Texas June 21, 2014 Can you please recommend a native vine (western edge of East Texas in the pines) that will be evergreen and fast growing? It will get about 4 to 5 hours of sun on my moongate. Flowers a plus, but not ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Identification of a vine in Tennessee June 14, 2014 I have a beautiful vine with clusters approximately 70 feet All the way up a tree in a heavily wooded area. It seems to be evergreen or semi- evergreen. Can you help identify? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Climbing vines for partial shade in North Texas June 12, 2014 I've read your recommendations for climbing vines in partial-shade, but requestor was from Central Texas (Austin-area). Would those recommendations hold true for North Texas (DFW area)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Is Matelea reticulata invasive? Will it take over a crossvine? June 11, 2014 I have 50 feet of fencing with a healthy crop of cross vine on it. Pearl milkweed (I believe it is Matelea reticulata) is growing into portions of the cross vine. Is the milkweed too invasive for th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vine for trellis in Brooklyn, New York June 11, 2014 Hello, I am looking for a native vine to grow on a trellis in a large container. I live in Brooklyn, NY, and the area is in part shade. Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Distinguishing native Celastrus scandens from non-native C. Orbiculatus from Lexington MA June 08, 2014 Dear Mr. Plants, I maintain a wildflower garden with the Lexington Field and Garden Club in Lexington, Massachusetts. Every year, I pull up sprouts of Celastris orbiulatis. I want to plan... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vine for yard with morning sun in California May 24, 2014 Hi, What is a good perennial vine to grow on the front of our house? We would like a fragrant flower too. It will be on a wood support beam, helping cover some pipes we have there. It will be an e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Drought tolerant vine for Austin, Texas May 17, 2014 What kind of drought-tolerant vine can I plant outside my screened in porch in Austin, Texas, that will stay on a trellis and not grow into the screen? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Waiting for a Passiflora to Emerge May 06, 2014 My passiflora vine in Virginia seems to have died in our severe winter. Should I continue to wait for new growth or dig it up now and start again? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Evergreen vine for wall and long-blooming shrubs in San Antonio TX May 04, 2014 What is a good native vine that stays green all year to plant along a rock courtyard wall? Also what are native bushes that flower for the longest period of time? Thanks. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Shade tolerant plants for erosion from Austin May 03, 2014 I live in Austin and my house backs up to Shoal Creek. I am looking for a native creeping vine or something that will grow on the shaded bank to help prevent erosion. It should be able to tolerate the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Vine for shady planter from Cedar Park TX April 19, 2014 We bought a home in Central Texas and inherited several raised-bed planters. One of the planters is set up to grow a vine, but it's in a part of the yard that is mostly in the shade of a tree. Is t... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ivy a suitable ground cover in Live Oaks from Gulfport MS April 17, 2014 Will Ivy be a safe and suitable ground cover for old growth Live Oak trees in coastal Mississippi? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine to cover fence from Haverhill MA April 17, 2014 Hello, I'm looking for a fast growing vine to cover a chain link fence. The area is sunny half of the day. I have 2 small children so I don't want something that attracts bees or could be dangerous ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Eliminating kudzu from Richmond KY March 26, 2014 I live in Richmond KY, Kirksville area. I have noticed that Kudzu has started to grow in my patch of land next to the creek. How can I get rid of this before it becomes a big problem? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Yellowing leaves on Carolina jessamine from Las Vegas NV March 21, 2014 Carolina jessamine, has yellow leaves. 3 years old, grows on south wall, full sun. Same plant, in partial shade, has green leaves. Should I feed yellowish plant some nitrogen? If yes how much? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native vine for privacy on metal mesh fence from Houston March 20, 2014 Is there a native vine that does not get top heavy in order to provide privacy from the bottom to the top on an expanded metal mesh fence? It's okay if it dies back, but prefer for it to be evergree... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native perennials for Missouri City, TX March 19, 2014 I checked all the questions for my area and still need help. What are some native perennials for southeast Texas View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Edible forest garden for northern Minnesota March 07, 2014 I am planning an edible forest garden for northern Minnesota. Can you suggest a list of plants that are native to this area. We are in zone 3a or 3b. Thank you! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| When will non-native Confederate Jasmine bloom in Austin March 03, 2014 I have 2 large Confederate Jasmine plants growing in 3 gallon pots on either side of an arbor I built for my friends wedding. The wedding is in 1 month and I'm wondering if this jasmine typically bl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Is non-native mascagnia macroptera poisonous to animals from Hockley TX February 17, 2014 Is Mascagmia macroptra (Butterfly Vine) poisonous to animals (horses and dogs)? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Low Ground Cover for Steep, Shaded PA Site February 17, 2014 I am located in Downingtown, PA, right on the border between Zone 6 and 7. Please provide a recommendation of a native ground cover for the following conditions: steep slope (greater than 45%), full s... View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| What color should I paint a gazebo for vines in Arizona? January 29, 2014 I have a two questions. I have a dome shaped metal gazebo that I want a vine to grow up the 4 columns and cover the top. I live in Tempe, AZ which is hugely hot in summer. The gazebo is black right ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of blackberry from Williamsport PA January 18, 2014 I have been told that if you cut a branch off of a black berry bush and stick it in water for a few days, and then put it in the ground it will grow into another bush. Please tell me if this is true a... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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