Railwaycreeper: A Lesser-Known Native Gem for Southwestern Gardens
Meet railwaycreeper (Ipomoea dumetorum), a perennial native plant that might just be the hidden treasure your southwestern garden has been waiting for. While this member of the morning glory family isn’t as well-known as some of its showier cousins, it offers unique benefits for gardeners looking to embrace native plant landscaping.
What Makes Railwaycreeper Special?
Railwaycreeper is a true native of the American Southwest, naturally occurring in New Mexico and Texas. As a perennial forb, it’s an herbaceous plant that lacks woody stems but returns year after year, making it a reliable addition to native plant communities.
This plant belongs to the Ipomoea genus, which means it’s related to familiar favorites like morning glories and sweet potatoes. However, railwaycreeper has adapted specifically to the unique conditions of the southwestern United States, making it perfectly suited for the climate and growing conditions of its native range.
Where Does Railwaycreeper Grow?
You’ll find railwaycreeper naturally growing in New Mexico and Texas, where it has evolved to thrive in the region’s specific climate conditions. This limited geographic distribution makes it a true regional specialty – a plant that’s perfectly adapted to southwestern growing conditions.
Why Consider Railwaycreeper for Your Garden?
If you’re gardening in the Southwest and passionate about native plants, railwaycreeper offers several compelling reasons to give it a try:
- Native authenticity: This is a true regional native, supporting local ecosystems and wildlife
- Low maintenance potential: Being adapted to local conditions means less fussing with watering and soil amendments
- Perennial reliability: Once established, it should return year after year
- Ecological value: Native plants typically support more wildlife than non-natives
The Growing Challenge
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit challenging): railwaycreeper isn’t commonly found in nurseries or garden centers. This lesser-known native hasn’t made the jump to mainstream horticulture, which means growing it requires a bit more detective work and patience.
If you’re determined to grow railwaycreeper, your best bet is to:
- Contact native plant societies in New Mexico or Texas
- Look for specialty native plant nurseries in the Southwest
- Connect with botanical gardens or universities in the region
- Join online forums dedicated to southwestern native plants
Growing Conditions and Care
While specific cultivation information for railwaycreeper is limited, we can make educated guesses based on its native habitat and family characteristics:
- Climate: Best suited for areas with hot summers and mild winters, typical of its New Mexico and Texas range
- Soil: Likely prefers well-draining soils, as most southwestern natives do
- Water: Probably drought-tolerant once established, following the pattern of regional natives
- Sun: Most Ipomoea species prefer full sun to partial shade
Is Railwaycreeper Right for Your Garden?
Railwaycreeper is best suited for gardeners who:
- Live within or near its native range in the Southwest
- Are passionate about growing true regional natives
- Enjoy the challenge of growing lesser-known plants
- Want to support local ecosystems and wildlife
- Are patient enough to track down hard-to-find plants
Alternatives to Consider
If railwaycreeper proves too elusive, consider these more readily available southwestern natives from the same family:
- Bush morning glory (Ipomoea leptophylla)
- Pink skullcap (Scutellaria suffrutescens)
- Other regional native wildflowers and forbs
The Bottom Line
Railwaycreeper represents the fascinating world of lesser-known native plants – species that play important ecological roles but haven’t yet caught the attention of mainstream gardening. While it may require extra effort to obtain and grow, it offers the satisfaction of cultivating a true regional native that supports local wildlife and preserves botanical diversity.
If you’re up for the challenge and committed to native plant gardening in the Southwest, railwaycreeper could be a unique addition to your landscape. Just remember: the journey to find and grow this plant might be as rewarding as the destination itself!
