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
5 ratings

Friday - December 21, 2012

From: San Anselmo, CA
Region: California
Topic: Shade Tolerant, Vines
Title: Vine for complete shade in California
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I'm looking for a vine to put over my back door which is in complete shade.

ANSWER:

There aren't too many vines that are native to your part of California that will grow in complete shade, but here are four attractive ones that will.

Clematis ligusticifolia (Western white clematis)  Here are photos and more information from CalFlora and  Yerba Buena Nursery in Woodside and from Bay Natives Nursery in San Francisco.

Lathyrus vestitus (Pacific pea)   Here are photos and more information from CalFlora and from Bay Natives Nursery in San Francisco.

Lonicera hispidula (Pink honeysuckle)  Here are photos and more information from CalFlora and from Yerba Buena Nursery and Bay Natives Nursery.

Lonicera ciliosa (Orange honeysuckle)   Here are photos and more information from CalFlora and from Seven Oaks Native Nursery near Albany, Oregon.  This one occurs a bit further north than Marin County but would probably do well there.

 

From the Image Gallery


Western white clematis
Clematis ligusticifolia

Orange honeysuckle
Lonicera ciliosa

Pink honeysuckle
Lonicera hispidula

More Vines Questions

Is there a vine in Indiana with poisonous thorns?
December 27, 2011 - I was cut at the left big toe by a brownish/red thorny vine while tracking thru dry grass near the bridge exiting 278. I'm from Indianapolis, in 46208. Was wondering if I was exposed to a poisonous v...
view the full question and answer

Is Poison ivy always rooted in the ground?
November 11, 2015 - Does Poison ivy on a tree always start at the ground and climb up the tree or can it start producing its vine and leaves by itself at the top of the tree or middle?
view the full question and answer

Problems with non-native Potato vine from Morgan Hill CA
June 13, 2011 - Greetings from Morgan Hill. CA. I have moved into a home that has a fairly mature (10 years +/-) Potato Tree which has some blue/purple flowers but very few new leaves, it looks almost barren. It gets...
view the full question and answer

How to get Poison Ivy?
November 22, 2015 - I know this is a silly question but we have a lot of poison ivy in the area and I know that birds eat the seeds and berries, can you get poison ivy from bird poop or track it in the house? From shoes ...
view the full question and answer

Failure to thrive of passion flower in Tunbridge Wells England
April 08, 2013 - I planted my passion plant 3 years ago and I have really looked after it. I think this winter has killed it, it looks so dead. I hope it can be saved; there isn't one part of it that is looking healt...
view the full question and answer

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