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

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
Plants for a moist, wooded area in North Carolina
December 06, 2014 - I am looking to plant some native flowers in a wooded area in Surry County NC. The chosen location is fully shaded beside a creek. The water table typically sets about 2 feet below the surface of th...
view the full question and answer
Native vine for a privacy fence in Austin, TX.
June 16, 2015 - I have a vacant lot in Greenshores that has two 6' iron fences. Neighbor planted some sort of vine that grows up and along fence for privacy, white flowers when in bloom, I assume its Jasmine? On ne...
view the full question and answer
Flowers for monarch butterflies in Bastrop, Gonzales and Travis Counties of Texas
March 05, 2013 - Hi Mr./s. Smarty Plants,
What are some flowers that grow naturally on a Bastrop, Travis, or Gonzales county riverside that monarch butterflies commonly feed on?
Thank you
view the full question and answer
Plants that smell like chocolate from Coral Gables FL
July 12, 2012 - I am looking for plants that smell like chocolate. I live in south Florida. We are currently growing and testing Berlandiera lyrata. Do you know of other plants whose flowers smell like chocolate?
view the full question and answer
Will Hyacinth Beans and Cardinal vine (non-natives) grow in Texas?
April 28, 2007 - I live in Coppell, TX, and a neighbor gave me some Hyacinith Beans and Cardinal Vine seeds to plant. She described these as doing well in her local garden, but I cannot find a photo or picture of them...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |