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 - December 10, 2009
From: Los Angeles, CA
Region: California
Topic: Vines
Title: Vine for privacy on a deck in Southern California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for a climbing vine/plant that is non-flowering and can be grown year round in Southern California. We are looking to help create a private area along a deck for my grandmother because her deck is close to the road. She prefers that there are no flowers or strong scents. Thank you in advance, I've been searching online and surprising cannot find anything.ANSWER:
Well, perhaps we can find a vine with flowers that are not showy, but all the vines native to Southern California we know about are flowering plants. Here are some suggested vines native to Southern California:
The following vines have flowers that are NOT considered fragrant:
Calystegia macrostegia (California morning glory) should remain evergreen with adequate summer water.
Keckiella cordifolia (heartleaf keckiella) should be evergreen in Los Angeles. Here are photos.Vitis californica (California wild grape) is deciduous. Here are photos and information about Roger's Red cultivar.
Vitis girdiana (desert wild grape) and here are more photos and information.
Parthenocissus vitacea (woodbine) and here are photos and more information.
The flowers on the following vines ARE considered fragrant:
Clematis lasiantha (pipestem clematis) is deciduous and fragrant.
Clematis ligusticifolia (western white clematis) is deciduous and fragrant.
Lonicera hispidula (pink honeysuckle) is deciduous and fragrant. Here are more photos and information.
Here are some photos from our Image Gallery:
More Vines Questions
Urushiol Oil Persistance?
September 09, 2015 - I'm trekking into poison ivy infested areas for work every other day. I make sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, boots, and long socks over my pants. I walk into my office to drop off supplies and...
view the full question and answer
Identification of a vine with thorns and blue berries.
April 22, 2008 - > Hello,
> We have acreage in Butler County, PA. I recently discovered a vine that I can't identify. It's has many small spines all over the stem, then very large and stiff thorns. It has dark gr...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting trumpet creeper in Prairie City, IA
August 22, 2011 - I have a Trumpet Creeper that I would like to transplant. How do you do that?
view the full question and answer
Identity of a thorny vine in Florida
June 02, 2009 - Area: panhandle of FL Problem: thorny vine with large potato like roots, rapid growing and very invasive. grows in summer time.
thanks
view the full question and answer
Will Bittersweet climb on a streetlight pole?
February 05, 2015 - Will Bittersweet climb on a streetlight pole, or does it need to be with a tree?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |