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
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - August 12, 2015

From: Raleigh, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Vines
Title: Vine with big flowers or fruits
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I need a vine that will take over a 8ft wide x 12 ft high lattice. It will be the center piece of the front of the house. It will be In sun almost constantly throughout the day. I'd like something with big flowers or fruits, that attracts a lot of attention.

ANSWER:

Here are some recommendations for vines with showy flowers:

Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine) is evergreen.

Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) may be agressive—read the comments on the species page.

Gelsemium rankinii (Swamp jessamine) is evergreen and will do well in moist areas. Both this and the next species (Carolina jessamine) have toxic properties.  Read the discussion on the Carolina jessamine species page.

Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jessamine) is evergreen and will do well in drier areas.

Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle) is evergreen.

Passiflora incarnata (Purple passionflower) has showy flowers but is not a woody vine.

Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria) is our native wisteria.  If you decide on this one, be sure that what you buy is not either of the non-native invasive wisteriasWisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria), or Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria).

You can find more vines for your area by doing a COMBINATION SEARCH in our Native Plant Database and choosing North Carolina from the Select State or Province option and Vine from Habit (general appearance.

 

From the Image Gallery


Crossvine
Bignonia capreolata

Crossvine
Bignonia capreolata

Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans

Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans

Swamp jessamine
Gelsemium rankinii

Carolina jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens

Carolina jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens

Coral honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens

Maypop
Passiflora incarnata

American wisteria
Wisteria frutescens

More Vines Questions

Vines free from cutter ants from Caldwell TX
November 14, 2012 - What are some climbing vines cutter ants won't eat
view the full question and answer

Identification of vine with red flower
April 14, 2008 - I have a "vine" that flowers. When it "blooms", it begins with a reddish/yellowish/orange ball about the side of a dime. The ball bursts open and a small red bloom emerges. It looks like a carn...
view the full question and answer

Vine for Marin County, CA
August 31, 2012 - Looking for relatively fast growing evergreen vine (not Ivy). Plant along sturdy 7 foot wire fence. Mostly sun, some shade. Soil drains reasonably well. I had some success w/ star jasmine, but too...
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

Non-floweriing vines not poisonous to dogs from Pittsburgh PA
June 10, 2013 - Are there any vines or crawlers (nothing that flowers) that are non poisonous to dogs? Everything I am finding is poisonous, I want to plant some vines up a chain link fence around a swimming pool.
view the full question and answer

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