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
Saturday - October 15, 2005
From: Edwardsburg, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Smarty Plants on wisteria
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
A friend has a wisteria bush in his yard that was planted around 1950 by his mother. It has yellow blossoms. He has been told many times by people passing by (they stop to look at the plant) that there are no more yellow wisteria bushes to be found. Is this true? Thank you for your help.ANSWER:
As far as we here at the Wildflower Center know, there is no such thing as a yellow wisteria. We suspect what your friend has is a Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum sp.). Most likely it is Laburnum x watereri which is a hybrid between L. alpinum and L. anagyroides. It is native to Southern Europe and has been introduced to North America as an ornamental.Here are more photos and information about the Golden Chain Tree.
More Vines Questions
Evergreen vine for New York
May 27, 2008 - I live on long island. I live on a corner piece of property and we have a 4 foot picket fence. We have some deciduous bushes planted along the fence, but would like a little more privacy because we ...
view the full question and answer
Identity of milkweed vine with smooth seedpod
November 23, 2012 - I believe the vine I am curious about may be Matelea reticulata. However, most of the pictures I have seen of that vine show bumps on the exterior of the seed pod, and the pod I have is green and smo...
view the full question and answer
Native vine to replace non-native Ficus pumila creeping fig
April 01, 2012 - What is a good evergreen alternative to ficus pumila to cover a rough-textured concrete wall in Houston TX?
view the full question and answer
Evergreen vine for Wimberley, Texas
June 02, 2009 - I live in the hill country in Wimberley Texas. I am looking for a fast growing, blooming evergreen vine for a privacy lattice wall between small houses. Can you recommend one of several plants? Thank ...
view the full question and answer
Shade tolerant vines for Mobile AL
May 07, 2013 - I am looking for an evergreen vine that will thrive in the shade in hot and humid south Alabama. I plan to plant on a trellis. A flowering vine would be even better.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |