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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

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.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer

Not Yet Rated

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

Virginia creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia