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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer

Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - May 05, 2010

From: Livonia, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Vine for screening fence in Michigan
Answered by: Anne Bossart

QUESTION:

Need a perennial vine to grow on a chain link fence, full sun, moist ground. Wanted to block view. If it flowers and/or attracts butterflies, all the better.

ANSWER:

Ahh, we love short questions at this time of year!

Usually we have to go into a longwinded explanation on how to search our database, but seeing as how you have provided the conditions narrowing the choices, here they are:

Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper) attracts hummingbirds

Celastrus scandens (American bittersweet) attracts birds (fruit)

Clematis virginiana (devil's darning needles) attracts hummingbirds and butterflies

Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle) Flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Fruits attract quail, Purple Finch, Goldfinch, Hermit Thrush, American Robin.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) atracts birds (fruit)

Campsis radicans

Celastrus scandens

Clematis virginiana

Lonicera sempervirens