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 31, 2012
From: 94933, CA
Region: California
Topic: Vines
Title: Vine for Marin County, CA
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Looking for relatively fast growing evergreen vine (not Ivy). Plant along sturdy 7 foot wire fence. Mostly sun, some shade. Soil drains reasonably well. I had some success w/ star jasmine, but too slow.ANSWER:
We wouldn't recommend your planting Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star jasmine) since it is native to China and our mission is "to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native (North American) wildflowers, plants and landscapes."
Unfortunately, I can't offer you any truly evergreen vines native to California. Our database lists Lonicera hispidula (Pink honeysuckle) as being semi-evergreen. Merriam-Webster.com gives two definitions for semievergreen: 1. having functional and persistent foliage during part of the winter or dry season; and 2. tending to be evergreen in a mild climate but deciduous in a rigorus climate. i'm not sure which applies in this case. Here is what Yerba Buena Nursery in Woodside says about it. Lonicera involucrata (Twinberry honeysuckle) is another California native vine, but it is deciduous. Yerba Buena Nursery says that it is fast growing and likes the sun. Mahonia pinnata (Wavyleaf barberry) is listed by our Native Plant Database as a vine or shrub. It is evergreen. Here are photos and more information.
You might consider using a plant that forms a narrow hedge up against your fence instead of a vine. Here is a list of native plants that can be used as a vine from Las Pilitas Nursery. Here are a couple of recommenations from that list:
Cercocarpus montanus (Alderleaf mountain mahogany) [synonyms: Cercocarpus alnifolius and Cercocarpus betuloides]. Here is more information from Las Pilitas Nursery and Yerba Buena Nursery.
Garrya elliptica (Wavyleaf silktassel). Here is more information from Las Piliatas Nursery.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Growing non-native Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Central Texas
July 01, 2013 - Hi. I recently moved into a remodeled home in Taylor, TX, and have experimented with Cabernet Savignon vines before. I have a 1/2 acre and a chain-link fence I want to put vines on. (I have a book o...
view the full question and answer
How to propagate Clematis texensis in Austin, TX?
May 14, 2012 - How do I propagate a Clematis texensis Buckl. Scarlet leatherflower from the seed pod?
view the full question and answer
South Austin Groundcovers for Oak Shade
March 29, 2013 - Hi! I live in S. Austin now but used to work at the Wildflower Center! My backyard is shady with several oak mots. Do you have any suggestions as to what if any ground cover will grow in all that sha...
view the full question and answer
Unusual vine in San Diego County, California
May 12, 2012 - Dear Mr. or Ms. Smarty Pants,
I came across an unusual vine winding through a young Zumaque growing off the edge of a mesa in San Diego (coastal sage scrub). The small (fingernail-sized)leaves rough...
view the full question and answer
Shrub Recommendation for Chain Link Fence in DE
January 26, 2016 - What shrub would you recommend for covering a chain link fence and providing a screen between mine & my neighbors yard? They have kids, so it would have to be non-toxic. I'd like flowers/berries for ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |