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
Tuesday - November 26, 2013
From: Temple City, CA
Region: California
Topic: Vines
Title: Flowering vine for summer sun in Southern California
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi and thanks for this great site. 1)Southern CA -- South facing wall(lattice on top)total height 7ft with mature Boston Ivy-- Viburnum tinus and Euonymus at base. THE PROBLEM: East 25% (25ft) has become bare, miniscule foliage--blasted by summer sun all day. Has done well for 5 years, but last 2 summers were too much. Need something that can tolerate the heated wall. Flowering vine would be nice, to also plant on the west end for uniformity. Must coexist with Boston ivy. NOTE: other 75% of wall is partial sun to partial shade from large tree. Thanks very much!!!ANSWER:
Las Pilitas Nursery, with locations in Escondido and Santa Margarita, who specialize in California native plants, has a page of "Native plants that can be used as a vine" that has a lot of information about growing conditions for various vines. You will notice that most of the vines on the list require some shade to do well. There is one, Vitis girdiana (Desert wild grape) that Las Pilitas recognizes as 'heat tolerant'. Its flowers aren't showy but they are fragrant and result in delicious small grapes for you and the birds in your neighborhood to eat. Vitis californica (California grape) would also be a choice. It is happy with full sun and heat—see the Sonoma County Master Gardeners' page.
Instead of a vine, you might consider a narrow shrub to grow in front of the wall. Cercocarpus montanus (Alderleaf mountain mahogany) is one alternative. The variety that grows in Los Angeles County is Cercocarpus montanus var. blancheae (listed under its synonym, Cercocarpus alnifolius by Las Pilitas). It tolerates both heat and cold.
Frangula californica (California buckthorn or California coffeeberry) is another alternative. Las Pilitas lists it under its synonym, Rhamnus californica.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Restoring the woods in Central Austin.
May 08, 2012 - I live in Austin, south central between Red Bud trail close to the low water bridge and Bee Caves road. My question: I want to make the wooded sections of my yard attractive. They have filtered sun...
view the full question and answer
What thorny vine grows rapidly in Pensacola?
May 06, 2013 - What thorny vine grows rapidly in Pensacola?
view the full question and answer
Plant ID of growth on wild grape vine in New Bern NC
August 08, 2010 - There are purplish cone-shaped things growing on my wild grape vine. What are they?
view the full question and answer
Will trumpet vine strangle tulip poplar in Elkview WV?
April 08, 2010 - I have a trumpet vine that I planted to grow up a tulip poplar. I did not find info that it may damage the tree prior to doing this but have recently been told that it will "strangle" the tree. Is...
view the full question and answer
Questions about Clematis virginiana in Austin, TX.
August 26, 2011 - Hello! I have a few questions regarding Clematis virginiana. Is it scented? Does it attract birds and butterflies? Do only female flowers get the feathery plumes? If yes, how do I know if ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |