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
Saturday - October 15, 2005
From: Edwardsburg, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Smarty Plants on wisteria
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
A friend has a wisteria bush in his yard that was planted around 1950 by his mother. It has yellow blossoms. He has been told many times by people passing by (they stop to look at the plant) that there are no more yellow wisteria bushes to be found. Is this true? Thank you for your help.ANSWER:
As far as we here at the Wildflower Center know, there is no such thing as a yellow wisteria. We suspect what your friend has is a Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum sp.). Most likely it is Laburnum x watereri which is a hybrid between L. alpinum and L. anagyroides. It is native to Southern Europe and has been introduced to North America as an ornamental.Here are more photos and information about the Golden Chain Tree.
More Vines Questions
Plants for a children's playground
April 20, 2015 - We have extensive native gardens on our 2 acre property, but my children want a garden of their own with plants they can hide under and that are good for imaginative play. Are there any native plants...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for Sunny Slope in CT
May 11, 2013 - I need a plant to use as groundcover and for erosion control on a sunny slope in southwestern Connecticut. Any suggestions other than juniper?
view the full question and answer
Grape Vines and spacing for Portland, OR
September 10, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have a somewhat small south-facing yard next to my home (less than 8' wide). I would like to build a tall arbor for grapes that runs along the length of my home (about 4...
view the full question and answer
Native plants with little sun and northern exposure for New York
April 26, 2006 - I live in a co-op and want to fix up the backyard. The backyard area has a west area to plant with a northern exposure and little sun and I am looking to plant something to cover the area. I would lik...
view the full question and answer
How to prune wild mustang grape vines.
July 11, 2011 - Now that my mustang grapes are harvested. When can I trim them out of the tree top and redirect them to an arbor where I can reach them next year?
The main vine is at least 3" across. The vines from...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |