Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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?

Share

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
1 rating

Thursday - June 12, 2014

From: Mansfield, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Climbing vines for partial shade in North Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I've read your recommendations for climbing vines in partial-shade, but requestor was from Central Texas (Austin-area). Would those recommendations hold true for North Texas (DFW area)?

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants is not sure whether you meant this question, this question, this question, this question or this question—or perhaps another question.  There are several vines that are common to those answers.  I will give you the ones that would be best suited to your area.  The following vines grow in, adjacent to or within two counties of Tarrant County:

Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle) is evergreen.  Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.

Lonicera albiflora (Western white honeysuckle)  Here is more information from Aggie Horticulture.

Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jessamine) is evergreen.  Here is more information from North Carolina State University.

Clematis drummondii (Drummond's clematis)  Here is more information from Aggie Horticulture.

Clematis pitcheri (Purple clematis)  Here is more information from Aggie Horticulture.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)  Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.

Passiflora incarnata (Purple passionflower)  Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.

Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) will grow in part shade but will not produce as many blooms without full sun.  Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.

Vitis mustangensis (Mustang grape) should produce edible fruit.   Here is more information from Foraging Texas.

Vitis vulpina (Frost grape) also produces edible fruit.   Here is more information from Carolina Nature.

 

From the Image Gallery


Coral honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens

Western white honeysuckle
Lonicera albiflora

Carolina jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens

Old man's beard
Clematis drummondii

Purple leatherflower
Clematis pitcheri

Virginia creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Maypop
Passiflora incarnata

Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans

Mustang grape
Vitis mustangensis

Frost grape
Vitis vulpina

More Vines Questions

Identification of a wild vine in East Texas
December 17, 2010 - Trying to identify a wild vine that grow 15-20 feet up our trees. The leaves are dark, glossy green about 2-3" long. The edges are smooth and elongated. Each leaf is placed to the right and then the ...
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants on pruning Clematis
August 26, 2005 - I would like to know about pruning clematis. The one I have is getting very large. Should I cut it back, and if so, in the Spring or Fall? I live in Michigan. Thank you.
view the full question and answer

Purchase source of Coral honeysuckle from New Boston TX
April 21, 2012 - I have been unable to find a supplier in the listings on your website for Lonicera Sempervirens. Many of them had a variety of different plants listed under this name but none were the 20' species. ...
view the full question and answer

Care for large trumpet vine in Hugo MN
June 09, 2010 - I was recently given a large Trumpet vine that has been growing in the same place for the last 25 years.I have replanted it and given it a large trellis to grow on.I live in central Minnesota. My ques...
view the full question and answer

Plants for wall with afternoon sun in Oregon
July 03, 2008 - Portland, Or. We have a stacked cement wall about 30 feet long that receives afternoon sun from the west. we would like to plant something edible along that wall that can tolerate afternoon sun. G...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.