Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
2 ratings

Wednesday - June 11, 2014

From: Brooklyn, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Container Gardens, Vines
Title: Vine for trellis in Brooklyn, New York
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

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.

ANSWER:

Here are some native candidates for your trellis that grow in or very near Kings County or adjacent counties in New York:

Adlumia fungosa (Climbing fumatory)  This is a biennial and won't bloom until the second year.  Here is more information from Adams Garden.

Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) is a perennial blooms best in full sun, but will grow in shade.   It is an aggressive spreader and needs lots of room.   Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.

Clematis occidentalis (Western blue virginsbower) is a perennial with interesting flowers and seed pods.  Here is more information from Connecticut Botanical Society.

Dioscorea villosa (Wild yam) is a perennial with interesting leaves.  Here is more information from the North American Native Plant Society.

Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle) is a perennial with flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.  Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.  This is evergreen here in Texas but is likely not in New York.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) is a perennial that doesn't have showy flowers but does have interesting leaves and grows quickly.  Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.

Since your vine will be grown in a container I recommend reading our How to Article, Container Gardening with Native Plants.  And, since your winters can be rather cold, you need to take steps to protect the roots of the vine in the container since they will be more susceptible to freezing than if the vine were planted in the ground.

 

From the Image Gallery


Climbing fumatory
Adlumia fungosa

Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans

Western blue virginsbower
Clematis occidentalis

Wild yam
Dioscorea villosa

Coral honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens

Virginia creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia

More Vines Questions

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 the full question and answer

Non-native, invasive Asiatic Jasmine from Austin
October 25, 2012 - Is Trachelospermum asiaticum considered a native texas plant? Is there an example growing at the Center that can be viewed?
view the full question and 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 the full question and answer

Growing kudzu in Las Vegas NV
April 18, 2013 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, I have a question about a known invasive species that I know you advise against, but I feel my situation may be different enough that it's worth asking about. Yes, I'm talk...
view the full question and answer

Want a vine, non-toxic to dogs, for Reno, NV.
September 11, 2012 - I want a non toxic (to dogs) vine for Reno, NV
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.