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
Sunday - August 11, 2013
From: Ekron, KY
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Identification, Vines
Title: Identity of vine growing in Kentucky.
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a vine I can't identify. The leaf is heart shaped and the vine is fuzzy. The blooms is just now starting to bloom. They are small red and some white in it. The bloom sort of remind you of a carnation bud. It's not a solid one bud. It is approximately 7 feet tall and wrapped around the light pole. I hope you can help me. Thank you.ANSWER:
You can search for your vine by doing a COMBINATION SEARCH in our Native Plant Database. Choose "Kentucky" from Select State or Province, "Vine" from Habit (general appearance) and "White","Pink" and "Red" (all three) from Bloom Color. You should try the search yourself to be sure I haven't missed your vine, but here are some possibilities I found:
Mikania scandens (Climbing hempvine)
Polygonum arifolium (Halberdleaf tearthumb) Here are photos and more information from Connecticut Wildflowers.
Strophostyles helvola (Amberique-bean) Here are more photos and information from Native & Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas & Georgia.
Strophostyles umbellata (Pink fuzzybean) Here are more photos and information from Southeastern Flora.
All the above plants are native to North America (north of Mexico). I can think of another vine with heart-shaped, somewhat fuzzy leaves and pinkish or reddish flowers that is NOT native to North America, but to Mexico and Central America. It is Antigonon leptopus (Coral vine or Queen's wreath). I think it would probably grow for a season in Kentucky but I don't believe it would overwinter. Its USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are 8-10 and Kentucky is in Zones 6-7a.
If none of the vines above are your vine and you have (or can take) photos of it, please visit our Plant Identification page to find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification. Be sure to read the "Important Notes" for submitting images near the bottom of the page.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
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
Poison Ivy in Semi-wetland Massachusetts
June 27, 2013 - You answered this question for Tennessee, but I would like an answer for a Massachusetts semi-wetlands area: What can I plant to discourage poison ivy, or at least make it very clear that it is poison...
view the full question and answer
Vines for arbor in North Carolina
September 14, 2008 - Please identify vines that can be used for an arbor that fronts my garage and a portion of the house. Living in Zone 6, the arbor faces southwest. My interest is that the vine be non-invasive because...
view the full question and answer
Burned leaves on trumpet vine, Campsis radicans
August 10, 2009 - I have a trumpet vine, it is about 10 years old and I have never had any problems with it. This year I have noticed that the leaves on some of the branches are shriveling up, like it was burned with ...
view the full question and answer
Climbing vines that are deer resistant
July 12, 2013 - Please find plants that are climbing vines and are deer resistant
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |