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
Thursday - May 06, 2010
From: Tampa, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Vines
Title: Evergreen flowering vine for wall in Tampa FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Tampa Florida and am looking for a non toxic, evergreen, profusely flowering vine to cover a wall. It needs to be cold hardy to approx. 20F. Thanks for your helpANSWER:
The "evergreen" qualifier that so many gardeners put on their requests for plant suggestions makes it pretty difficult sometimes. Since Hillsborough County in Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 11, some vines that might be deciduous farther north are listed as evergreen in our Native Plant Database. We found three that fit your specifications, although one has a toxic warning. Follow each link to our page on that plant to learn bloom color, growing conditions, size, etc. Our favorite for this use would be the Crossvine. We have it climbing some of the limestone pillars and walls at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the hummingbirds and butterflies love it. If you have children, pets or livestock that will eat flowers or leaves, don't consider the Gelsemium sempervirens (evening trumpetflower).
Flowering evergreen vines for Tampa Fl:
Bignonia capreolata (crossvine)
Gelsemium sempervirens (evening trumpetflower) -From our Native Plant Database: "Warning: The flowers, leaves, and roots are poisonous and may be lethal to livestock."
Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle)
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Vines Questions
Identification of ivy-like plant with large purplish leaves.
March 27, 2015 - Can you ID this ivy-like growing plant with a big purplish elephant ear type leaf and a big green stem pouch?
view the full question and answer
Vine for full sun in Las Vegas NV
July 05, 2013 - Looking for vine to thrive in full sun in Las Vegas, NV. I tried Cape Honeysuckle and Star Jasmine and both died within 5 days. The leaves were burnt. What's your suggestion? Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Information about the wormvine orchid, Vanilla barbellata
November 27, 2007 - Hi
My name is Santiago
I'm from Puerto Rico and discover this Vanilla orchid in the forest, this orchid is V. barbellata var. alba?
You have some information of how identify the V. barbe...
view the full question and answer
Bird-friendly plants for the Texas coast
July 13, 2012 - I'm interested in starting a native plant garden, specifically with an eye towards providing food (either from the plants or insects that are attracted to the plants) for migratory birds. However, s...
view the full question and answer
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
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |