Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Friday - March 19, 2010
From: Fort Worth, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Grapevine for pot in Ft. Worth
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Can I plant a grapevine in a large clay pot in Fort Worth, Texas?ANSWER:
Let us first refer you to our How-To Article on Container Gardening with Native Plants. That will help you make your decisions. Beyond that, we are going to search our Native Plant Database to find grapes that are native to North Central Texas. We found three members of the genus Vitis, grapes, that are native to Texas. While none of these is necessarily native to your area, you can probably help them to adapt since they will be in a pot with good soil, water and care. All of these grapes are considered palatable, and can make good jelly, if you don't mind using a lot of sugar.
One caution: these grape vines all get looong, and will soon be twining around and growing up everything they can get close to. You have surely driven down the highway and noticed great mounds of green that appeared to be grapevines. Under that mound is probably a dead tree, killed by its lack of access to sunlight, caused by the grapes growing over it. You can always experiment with the variety you select, cutting it back when it becomes too aggressive toward other plants, controlling it that way. Since we have no personal experience with growing grapevines in an urban setting, you would do well to contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Office for Tarrant County for more close to home advice. Follow the plant links below to the page on each grape to learn its soil needs, etc.
Vine Possibilities for North Central Texas:
Vitis cinerea var. helleri (Heller's grape) - 36 to 72 ft., medium water use, part shade
Vitis mustangensis (mustang grape) - 36 to 72 ft., medium water use, part shade
Vitis rotundifolia (muscadine) - sometimes exceeds 90 ft., medium water use, part shade
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Vines Questions
Recognizing poison ivy
June 20, 2007 - I am having a difficult time identifying poison ivy. It seems so many plants look like poison ivy can you help me I don't want to kill everything but on the same hand I don't want to itch.
Thanks f...
view the full question and answer
Niagara and Concord grape crop failure
September 01, 2008 - Hi, I have been growing niagara grapes and concord grapes for 3 years now and this year I found myself without any fruits. The plant itself if full of leaves and is healthy. I was wondering why this w...
view the full question and answer
Vine for a fence in San Saba County, Texas
October 22, 2012 - I want to plant vines on a deer proof fence close to my house for privacy. Are there any vines that stay green year round? Also what breed of vine would you recommend for several hundred feet of fenc...
view the full question and answer
Will wisteria grow in LaQuinta CA?
June 13, 2010 - I have moved to the desert, near Palm Springs, CA from Omaha NE where I was an avid gardener. I would like to know if wisteria will grow in this environment, with temps up to 120 several weeks each su...
view the full question and answer
Why won't my Campsis cultivar flower in Lowell MA
February 08, 2010 - I bought a Campsis trumpet vine cultivar in 2006 and planted near my fence in my yard hoping to cover the fence with the vine. Well 4 seasons later the vine has grown about 5 ft. in area but has yet ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |