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 - March 15, 2016
From: Comanche, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Native vine for fence on youth baseball field
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Our community in Comanche, Texas would like to plant a native vine on the back fence of a youth baseball field. We have plans to plant an area of native grasses behind the fence, between the fence and a hiking path. We need a vine that is safe to use around children and wildlife. Can you help? Thanks!ANSWER:
The two vines below are the native vines that the USDA Plants Database show growing in Comanche County that would be good candidates for your fence. Neither are known to have toxic properties. They do not appear on any of the poisonous plants databases that I investigated.
Cocculus carolinus (Carolina snailseed) is a strong grower with male and female flowers on different plants. Female plants have red berries if a male plant is nearby to furnish the pollen. The seeds within the berries have an interesting shape and are the reason for the "Cocculus" part of the plant's scientific name and for its common name of "snailseed". Here is more information from Texas A&M Horticulture.
Convolvulus equitans (Bindweed) is described as a non-agressive climber and here is more information from Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center at Uvalde and from Backyard Nature. This vine tends to stay on the ground twining around smaller plants but wcan climb up fences.
You might consider using a combination of these two vines.
From the Image Gallery
More Vines Questions
Shrub Recommendation for Chain Link Fence in DE
January 26, 2016 - What shrub would you recommend for covering a chain link fence and providing a screen between mine & my neighbors yard? They have kids, so it would have to be non-toxic. I'd like flowers/berries for ...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting Virginia creeper
September 02, 2008 - I have a large Virginia creeper plant approximately 15 feet in length. Is it possible to transplant the whole thing without killing it? If so how do I care for it after it has been moved? Thank yo...
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
Non-destructive vine for stucco in Albuquerque
July 11, 2009 - Is there a vine that can grow on stucco without destroying the stucco when removed?
view the full question and answer
Identification of Matelea reticulata
June 08, 2007 - I recently saw blooming in an Austin park a small white-green flower ( 3/4 ") with a center that looked like a small pearl. Any idea what it is. I can't find it in my flower book, It was on a waist...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |