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

Wednesday - January 28, 2009
From: Denton, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Native vines for pergola in Denton, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We ve built a pergola under our Post Oaks and Winged Elms. The soil is sandy, as you would expect with post oaks. Are there any native vines, hopefully with a pretty flower, that I might coax into growing up my pergola? I would water well until established, but after that, I wont water often out of respect to my post oaks.ANSWER:
Here are a list of vines with colorful flowers that should do well on your pergola in Denton, Texas.Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle) is evergreen.
Lonicera albiflora (western white honeysuckle) is usually a deciduous shrub, but will act like a vine as well.
Bignonia capreolata (crossvine) is semi-evergreen.
Clematis pitcheri (bluebill) is deciduous.
Passiflora incarnata (purple passionflower) is deciduous.
Passiflora lutea (yellow passionflower) is deciduous.
Wisteria frutescens (American wisteria) is deciduous. if you pick this one, make sure that you are getting it, specifically, and not either of the two non-native invasive species, Wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria) and Wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria).
You can see other vine choices for Texas by doing a COMBINATION SEARCH in our Native Plant Database and selecting 'Texas' from the "Select State or Province" option and 'Vine' from the "Habit (general appearance)" option.
More Vines Questions
Duplicate request for information from Austin
August 30, 2012 - I am considering planting cross vine on a wrought iron fence. Will it cause any damage to the wrought iron or stucco posts?
view the full question and answer
What is the green pod on a trumpet vine
October 23, 2010 - I have a Trumpet Vine that bloomed for the first time this year. After the bloom season, I noticed a single pod hanging on the vine about the size of a large green bean. What is the purpose of this ...
view the full question and answer
Problems with crossvine from Semmes AL
January 06, 2013 - I have a 3 year old cross vine (tangerine beauty) and the leaves have started turning black and falling off the plant. I have two plants growing on the same pergola (opposite ends) and the second plan...
view the full question and answer
Vine for Patio Wall in D.C.
June 03, 2013 - I have a concrete patio wall 4 feet tall and 9 feet long in Washington, D.C. The wall runs east to west and there is a patio above it. I am looking for vines to cover it so that I would not have to lo...
view the full question and answer
Pet Friendly Groundcovers for CA
January 23, 2016 - I am looking for pet friendly, groundcover plants in San Jose, CA.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |