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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Sunday - April 26, 2015
From: Austin , TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Poisonous Plants, Vines
Title: Vines for a backyard pergola not toxic to dogs and cats
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We have just built a pergola in out backyard and are wanting a vine to grow up and around the posts. We have 3 dogs and also have a cat that loves to go outside. We are really looking for something that is non-toxic for them. We want something that is going to be able to handle the heat and also come back every year. We are also wanting other plants that are dog friendly that come back every year.ANSWER:
Check the ASPCA lists of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List—Cats and Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List—Dogs. For both lists, the first half of the list is for the toxic plants and the last half is for the non-toxic plants. Of course, not every plant can be accounted for in these lists, but these are the more common plants that the dog or cat might come in contact with.
THE FOLLOWING ARE RECOMMENDED NATIVE VINES FOR THE AUSTIN AREA:
Not listed as poisonous on the ASPCA Lists or other Toxic Plant Databases
Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine) is semi-evergreen.
Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle) also is evergreen or semi-evergreen.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)
Matelea reticulata (Green milkweed vine)
Merremia dissecta (Alamo vine)
Passiflora affinis (Bracted passionflower)
Passiflora incarnata (Purple passionflower)
Vitis mustangensis (Mustang grape)
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT RECOMMENDED:
On the ASPCA Lists but not the other Toxic Plant databases
Clematis spp., with the following three species that grow in the Austin area:
Clematis drummondii (Old-man's-beard)
Clematis pitcheri (Purple clematis)
Not on the ASPCA Lists but on other Toxic Plant databases
Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jessamine) not listed on the ASPCA list but is listed on Cornell University's Department of Animal Science - Plants Poisonous to Livestock and also on Plants Poisonous to Livestock and Pets in North Carolina.
On the ASPCA Lists and other Toxic Plant databases
Wisteria species, with the following native species that grows in the Austin area:
Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria) is also listed on Cornell University's Department of Animal Science - Plants Poisonous to Livestock and also in the Penn Veterinary Medicine Poisonous Plants.
To find perennial native plants that are not toxic to dogs, you can do a COMBINATION SEARCH in our Native Plant Database choosing "Texas" from the Select State or Province slot and "Perennial" from Duration (lifespan) and you can also select other criteria from the list. You can also go to the "Plants for Central Texas" list on our Special Collections page for shorter lists of plants that you can then use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to filter the plants on those lists. Once you've picked out plants that you find interesting, then compare them to the ASPCA lists and the other Toxic Plant Databases listed above. Use the scientific name to make comparisons since there can be multiple commonn names for plants.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Plant with dark black/purple berries in a cluster
November 06, 2012 - Today at our local dog park we noticed a bush/vine that's been growing up the fence is producing berries. It didn't flower at all. The berries look to have started out green and now are changing t...
view the full question and answer
Front Door Vine in Alabama
March 02, 2013 - I live in Birmingham, AL in a large-scale, white brick, French-style home. I would like to have a vine over my front door. I don't want an invasive vine (seed pods that create new vines or attaches t...
view the full question and answer
Eliminating a briar vine in American holly
July 22, 2011 - I have a wild vine (I was told it is a type of briar) living on my place. The root nest is like a potato. I have dug them up, I have sprayed them and I still am plagued with them. I have a beautiful A...
view the full question and answer
California native vine
June 21, 2008 - Hello, I am looking for a california native vine that can "cover" a wrought iron fence. I would like a vine that does not require too much care and can handle a fair amount of sun exposure.
view the full question and answer
Flowering vine for shade in Southern California
May 11, 2012 - Flowering climbing plant for shade in Palm Desert, CA.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |