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
6 ratings

Friday - March 19, 2010

From: Denton, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Perennial vine for full sun, Denton, TX
Answered by: Amy Johnson

QUESTION:

I would like to grow a perennial vine that would tolerate full sun during the day. A flowering or non-flowering is fine. I do NOT want anything that is poisonous, i.e. Carolina jasmine, since this will be in a deep planter next to the front door.

ANSWER:

We found three vines that suit your requirements, and none of them have poisonous parts.

From our Native Plant Database: 

Bignonia capreolata (crossvine) - evergreen, reaching 50 ft. in length, blooms red, yellow March to May, low water use, sun or part shade

Lonicera albiflora (western white honeysuckle) -  4 ft., deciduous, blooms white March to May, sun or part shade

Passiflora incarnata (purple passionflower). - 12 to 36 ft., deciduous, blooms pink, blue, purple April to September, low water use, sun or part shade

From our Native Plant Image Gallery:


Bignonia capreolata

Lonicera albiflora

Passiflora incarnata
 

More Vines Questions

Culture of a potato vine
November 11, 2007 - This spring I was given a potato to grow. The lady called it a potato vine. Do you know anything about this vine?
view the full question and answer

How to get rid of Phytolacca americana (American pokeweed)
October 02, 2013 - Mr. Smarty-Pants, I have pokeweed growing all over my backyard. I know this plant is poisonous, how do I get rid of it for good? Also, a broad leaf vine that is swallowing my trees whole.
view the full question and answer

Lonicera sempervirens not harmful to dogs from Naperville IL
December 16, 2012 - Is the trumpet honeysuckle (lonicera sempervirens) harmful to dogs if eaten? I have been told in the past that the common trumpet vine is harmful, but this appears to be different. Thank you!!
view the full question and answer

Vine for Nevada Sunny Wall
January 23, 2016 - I want a non-invasive vine to grow on a block wall that receives approx 6-10 hrs of sun. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I want to put in a narrow walkway between our house and a block wall to add color ...
view the full question and answer

Vine non-toxic to alpacas and dogs from Fowler CA
June 29, 2012 - We have alpacas and would like to plant a flowering vine on a backyard fence that adjoins the pasture. We live in Central California so we have many hot days during the summer and would like a plan...
view the full question and answer

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