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 - August 03, 2012
From: Fredericksburg, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Vines
Title: Invasive trumpet vine from Fredericksburg TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have a large trumpet vine growing on a dead tree stump. My problem is that new baby trumpet vines are coming up all over my yard. I mow them, but is there anything I can use to prevent new trumpet vines from sprouting up in my grass?ANSWER:
A mantra often chanted by Mr. Smarty Plants is: "The best way to control invasive plants is to never plant them."
We are assuming you are referring to Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper). Please follow this link to our webpage and read all of it to find out why, although it is beautiful and attracts hummingbirds, we do not recommend it. Possibly what you have is Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine), which is a related vine that is not quite so pushy. Neither is native to Gillespie County, but that has never stopped them yet.
Since this is by no means a new question for us, please read this previous question, which has some more informative links, from Austin TX.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Non-native, invasive creeping fig in Webster TX
May 26, 2013 - We've recently moved into a new home in the southeast Houston area. The back of our property has a long concrete wall (gets quite a bit of sun), which we thought we could cover with a spreading vine....
view the full question and answer
Plant to hang over and cover a wall
May 21, 2010 - HI! this is a stumper for me! I have a 6 foot wall bracing a hill on one side and a lawn on the other. It is currently cement and I would like to find something to cover it --evergreen would be the...
view the full question and answer
Care for a Campsis radicans in Yakima, WA
October 08, 2008 - I have a Campsis radicans it is in a 7" pot and the plant is 20" tall. It was a clipping given to me by a lady that is now out of town. My question is: I live in zone 6a so do I leave it in the p...
view the full question and answer
Eliminating evasive Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental bittersweet)
July 21, 2013 - I have Oriental Bittersweet growing pervasively in my shrub garden, strangling my shrubs and growing into my beautiful Victorian porch. I can't keep up with it! What can I do?
view the full question and answer
Trailing milkvine, Matelea pubiflora, identified from seed pod
November 10, 2006 - I have a vine that has a seed pod that looks like okra. Inside the pod is a small flat seed and a cotton-looking fiber. Please help identify, if possible.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |