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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - March 09, 2016
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Vine to attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds in Austin
Answered by: Mike Tomme
QUESTION:
We'd like suggestions for a climbing, flowering, butterfly/hummingbird friendly plant for our Austin, TX backyard!!ANSWER:
You've left out some critical information in your question. How much sun will it get? What kind of soil will it be growing in? What kind of structure will it be growing on?
I recommernd you go to wildflower.org, click on Native Plants and then Native Plant Database. On that page you can enter in your specific sun and soil conditions and the color and time for you would like it to bloom. Also specify that you are looking for a perennial vine.
A search like this may return over a hundred plants. Many of these will not be readily available in local nurseries so you can eliminate them. Others, including popular vines like Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) and Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine) can be quite destructive to wooden structures and will be best grown on a masonary or metal support structure.
Now, having said all that. the abscence of crucial information won't keep Mr. Smarty Plants from having an opinion. My choice would be Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle). Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and has a long bloom period.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Trumpet vine care
October 31, 2007 - I planted a trumpet vine in the early summer of this year. It grew about 3-4 ft. and seemed healthy. It is now Oct. 25th, and I just noticed that all the leaves seem to have shrivelled up and gone b...
view the full question and 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 the full question and answer
Thorny vine growing through hedge
May 16, 2009 - In my hedge, a vine grows that has a bulbous root. It has large thorns up and down the vine. The leaves are shiny and grow all along the vine that is exposed to the sun. the vine grows up thru hedg...
view the full question and 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 the full question and answer
Carolina Jessamine Toxic to Honey Bees?
January 20, 2015 - Is Carolina jessamine toxic to honey bees? I have read conflicting answers.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |