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

Monday - June 10, 2013
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Poisonous Plants, Vines
Title: Non-floweriing vines not poisonous to dogs from Pittsburgh PA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Are there any vines or crawlers (nothing that flowers) that are non poisonous to dogs? Everything I am finding is poisonous, I want to plant some vines up a chain link fence around a swimming pool.ANSWER:
We had the same question yesterday from Madison WI. Please read it for information on poisonous plants. We will look at a similar list for Allegheny Co., PA, but we have to tell you there are no non-blooming vines. All vascular plants propagate themselves by first blooming and then producing seeds. It is necessary for the plant's survival. You can follow each plant link on our list to find out when they bloom, with size and color, and some may have more inconspicuous blooms than others, but they will all bloom. You can snip off blossoms and then you will have no seeds but they will spread by underground roots.
Vines for Pennsylvania:
Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper)
Clematis virginiana (Devil's darning needles)
Ipomoea pes-caprae (Railroad vine)
Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle)
You will also need to follow the links to each webpage to learn what their growing conditions are, particularly their sunlight requirements, as you did not mention that in your question,
From the Image Gallery
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Identity of plant that looks like green onions
April 06, 2013 - I have what looks like green onions growing in my lawn. They have small white flowers. Are they edible?
view the full question and answer
Spreading Poison Oak to Clothes and Shoes
May 31, 2013 - I had a poison oak rash about 2 years ago and during that time I had to attend a wedding. At the wedding I wore a pair of dress shoes and a pair of cowboy boots. Can I wear these shoes again? Is there...
view the full question and answer
Alpacas poisoned in pasture in Texas
October 26, 2008 - Two of my alpacas were poisoned by something growing in two of my pastures. One of the suspects is cussus trifoliata, aka, cow itch vine, sorrelvine. I have searched diligently and can find no refere...
view the full question and answer
Plant ID from Villa Hills KY
April 21, 2013 - Hello I have this plant but I don't know what it is. I want to know if it's edible or what it is. I think it's catnip.
view the full question and answer
Getting rid of wild plums (Prunus angustifolia)
July 28, 2008 - When I bought my land, there was a humongous thicket of wild plums (Prunus angustifolia) approx 10 ft high and covering 5-10 acres. I raise goats, and have known that wild plums (the leaves) can cause...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |