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
Friday - April 13, 2012
From: Folsom, CA
Region: California
Topic: Privacy Screening, Vines
Title: Folsom CA Wall-cover
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I live in Folsom, CA and I have an ugly cinder block wall that I want to cover, I want something that is low maintenance and that is going to grow and spread into my grass. The only one i can really think of to use is ivy, but my thumb is not very green yet, I love gardening just not very knowledgeable in it :) I have tried to do some research but, really haven't found anything that has been helpful.. thank you!ANSWER:
When Mr Smarty Plants is looking for a wall-cover, his thoughts go to a nice native vine as they are low-maintenance and very likely to grow vigorously. You might plan to plant them on top and “train” them to cascade down, or plant them below and train them to go up & over. I checked the recommended species for Northern California, then narrowed the search to just vines and found six good possibilities. They are:
Aristolochia californica (California dutchman's pipe)
Calystegia occidentalis (Chaparral false bindweed)
Clematis lasiantha (Pipestem clematis)
Clematis ligusticifolia (Western white clematis)
Mahonia pinnata (Wavyleaf barberry)
Vitis californica (California grape)
I personally think the clematis’ have the nicer flowers, but then having California Wild Grapes would be a nice conversation piece! What do you think? Of course, if you prefer a shrub or maybe a ground cover, you can find the appropriate California native species with a similar search.
Want to become more knowledgeable about natives? There is a local chapter fo the California Native Plant Society near you! Another good choice is to become familiar with the local California Extension Office.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Vine to cover concrete retaining wall in Georgetown TX
March 02, 2013 - I have an unsightly concrete retaining wall and culvert covers that require fast coverage from a vine of some sort. The plant must be deer resistant and drought tolerant. The retaining wall and culv...
view the full question and answer
Is Passiflora 'Purple Haze' a host to Gulf Frittilary butterflies?
September 14, 2011 - Is the passion flower purple haze (pasionaria purple haze) a host plant to gulf frittilary butterflies as is the passiflora incarnata passion flower?
view the full question and answer
Will Crossvine damage stucco walls?
June 17, 2015 - The Crossvine I planted about a month ago is doing well. It is growing up a stucco wall and its little tendrils are sticking to (or into?) the stucco. Is this going to grow into the stucco and damage ...
view the full question and answer
Information about the wormvine orchid, Vanilla barbellata
November 27, 2007 - Hi
My name is Santiago
I'm from Puerto Rico and discover this Vanilla orchid in the forest, this orchid is V. barbellata var. alba?
You have some information of how identify the V. barbe...
view the full question and answer
Wisteria and Non-Poisonous Native Vines
February 15, 2012 - I'm from central Texas and I'm wanting to plant a native vine that will work well around the public, mainly kids. It's a mostly sunny trellis that makes an arch. I'd like to plant the native Wiste...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |