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

Sunday - May 19, 2013
From: Las Vegas, NM
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Will Virginia creeper harm brick walls in Las Vegas NM
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Will Virginia creeper harm brick walls in Las Vegas, New Mexico?ANSWER:
From our webpage on Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper):
"Its tendrils end in adhesive-like tips, giving this vine the ability to cement itself to walls and therefore need no support. The presence of adhesive tips instead of penetrating rootlets also means it doesnt damage buildings the way some vines do."
However, this USDA Plant Profile Map shows that it does not grow naturally in New Mexico at all. One of our favorite sayings is: "Plants don't always grow where they are supposed to but where they can get away with it."
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Finicky Trumpet Vine in Stockdale Texas
June 06, 2011 - I need help dealing with a very old trumpet vine. It was my grandmothers and she died in 79. It's always been beautiful till 99 when my grandmothers house burned down. It was right behind it. It cam...
view the full question and answer
Need some information about wild native grapes in Gatlinburg, TN.
August 13, 2010 - We have some wild grapevines growing on a southern exposure eroded bank. They are providing assistance in reducing erosion with rapid growth. Do these plants develop ground contact as they grow? In...
view the full question and answer
Identification of cucumber-like plant with red fruit
July 01, 2012 - Hi; My name is Peter, live in Lewisville. When I walked through a park trail last year, I noticed a very strange vine described as the following:
It is vine with leaves and stems (size and shape) lo...
view the full question and answer
Identification of a vine with purple flowers
July 06, 2011 - I'm trying to identify a vine-like plant growing in my yard to determine if it is a weed or should be kept around. It has small purple flowers with a small yellow center, looking like a mini honeysuc...
view the full question and answer
Few blooms on native Bignonia capriolata (cross-vine)
March 25, 2008 - I have an 8-year-old crossvine that has grown and bloomed beautifully until this year. During the winter it lost all of its lower leaves. What leaves were left had brownish-red splotches on them. It h...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |