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

Thursday - October 01, 2009
From: Plattsmouth, NE
Region: Midwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Native trailing plant for Nebraska
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in the tall grass prairie area of Eastern Nebraska and am working on some prairie restoration and native plantings. I have just put in a limestone retaining wall and would like to find a native trailing plant that would grow over this wall. Any ideas. Thanks in advance.ANSWER:
Congratulations and good luck on your restoration project. You can do a COMBINATION SEARCH in out Native Plant Database, choosing 'Nebraska' from the Select State or Province option and 'Vine' from Habit (general appearance) category to see a variety of choices for vines or trailing plants. You could plant the vines at the bottom of the retaining wall to climb up the wall or at the top to trail down the wall. Here are a few choices from that list:
Mahonia repens (creeping barberry) for part shade
Clematis virginiana (devil's darning needles)
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)
You might also consider one of the Rubus sp. [blackberry, raspberry, dewberry—e.g., Rubus flagellaris (northern dewberry) or Rubus idaeus ssp. strigosus (grayleaf red raspberry)]. Although they aren't officially listed as vines in our Native Plant Database, they would trail down the wall and provide fruit for wildlife and for you as well.
More Vines Questions
Are seeds of trumpet vine poisonous from Creston BC
September 12, 2013 - Are the seeds in the trumpet vines pods poisonous to humans or can I use them as dried beans? I have one plant that covers most of my house's south wall. It is a very established plant.
view the full question and answer
Flowering vine for trellis behind fountain in Anaheim Hills CA
June 05, 2010 - We are looking for a flowering vine to plant on a trellis surrounding a water fountain. The fountain splashes leaving the soil constantly wet. We have tried numerous vines, but they all die due to t...
view the full question and answer
White sticky stuff on muscadine grape vines from Chappells SC
August 17, 2013 - Muscadine vine has white sticky substance on leaves and vines, what is it?
view the full question and answer
Blocking dust from a road in Sturgis MS
September 20, 2012 - Please let me know what Trees/shrubs will help block dust from dirt road.
view the full question and answer
Will wisteria grow in LaQuinta CA?
June 13, 2010 - I have moved to the desert, near Palm Springs, CA from Omaha NE where I was an avid gardener. I would like to know if wisteria will grow in this environment, with temps up to 120 several weeks each su...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |