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

Monday - April 14, 2008
From: Graham, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Vines
Title: Identification of vine with red flower
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
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 carnation about the size of a nickel. I have asked several people but no one seems to know what it is. It has begun to spring leaves. The balls will follow in about a month. How can I find out what it is? and how to root a piece for another part of the yard?ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants loves to identify plants, but identifying plants by means of description alone is very difficult, if not impossible. If you would take photos (following the directions on our Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page in the lower right corner) and send them to us, we will do our very best to identify your vine.More Vines Questions
Evergreen groundcovers for NE NC
April 20, 2015 - Can you please provide a list of evergreen native groundcovers for Northeastern NC?
view the full question and answer
Inducing flowering on vines
August 27, 2008 - My daughter presented me with a lovely Passiflora coccinea a few months ago. It is growing marvelously in full sun at the base of a pine tree. I'm wondering, though, if I were to limit the amount o...
view the full question and answer
Identification of purchased vine
November 11, 2010 - Hi,
I bought a hanging vine plant, and came with no id. The leaves are simple, alternate arrangement, entire margin (smooth edge margin). It has an ashy look, like the green purple sage. The flower ...
view the full question and answer
Purple Passionflower as a native in Charlottesville VA
September 18, 2013 - Is it possible to grow purple passion flower as a perennial in zone 7? I am looking for hummers and butterflies to be attracted by the plant.
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Vine to cover concrete retaining wall in Georgetown TX
March 02, 2013 - I have an unsightly concrete retaining wall and culvert covers that require fast coverage from a vine of some sort. The plant must be deer resistant and drought tolerant. The retaining wall and culv...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |