Tropical Flowering Vine Plants
Tropical flowering vines are among the most spectacular of all climbing plants. Lush, large foliage creates a green backdrop for bright, bold flowers. Some vines also are fragrant.
All vines have long, flexible stems. Tropical flowering vines might twine up a support, or use tendrils to boost themselves higher. Attach mounding type vines to a trellis as they will collapse without support.
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Blazing Color
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Bougainvillea Bougainvillea is a shrubby vine native to Brazil. It has showy, neon-colored displays of bracts (leaflets) which surround tiny central flowers. Choose from brilliant reds, vibrant purples or glowing pinks. Bougainvillea blooms year round in the mildest climates. This rapid growing vine needs support; build a sturdy trellis or train it on a masonry wall. Take care with its delicate roots when you plant it. Place Bougainvillea against a south-facing wall, in full sun. Any frost may cause the plant to die back, but the roots will usually survive. Water to establish the plant then only water when the soil is very dry.
As its name suggests, flame vine (Pyrostegia venusta) features tubular, bright orange flowers. It climbs via tendrils and can reach 20 feet. This plant needs regular watering. On a west-facing wall, this plant glows like flames in the afternoon sun.
Blood-Red Trumpet Vine (Distictus buccinatoria) drips with rich red clusters of tubular-shaped flowers year long in warm winter areas. This vigorous grower needs pruning to control its size. Give it plenty of water, and rich soil.
Cool Shades
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Brazilian nightshade (solanum seaforthianum), has divided, 8-inch-long leaves, which fall in cool weather. In warm weather, enjoy the deep violet small flowers; and later, small red fruits.
Costa Rican nightshade is also sensitive to low temperatures. In warm weather, large clusters on blue-lilac flowers cover the vine. It will twine its way up trees or atop a patio cover.
Cape plumbago (Plumbago capensis), is a bushy sprawling vine with light green foliage, and sky blue flowers. The overall effect of the blooms is cool and refreshing. Plant in partial shade in the hottest areas. Its icy hues are welcome in the summer. This plant is somewhat drought tolerant once established.
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Sunny Yellows
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Guinea Gold Vine (Hibbertia scandens) grows quickly twining its way to 10 feet. It has waxy rich green foliage. Bright yellow flowers cover the vine from spring until fall. Grow this vine in containers in cooler climates, and protect it in winter. Give it ample water.
Cup-of-gold vine (Solandra maxima) is a fast grower, reaching 40 feet. Support its stems, which are covered with large shiny leaves. The flowers appear in winter. Their cup-like shape and purple-striped golden color adds to the bold look of this plant. Water regularly and deeply.
Fragrance
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Honeysuckle Giant Burmese honeysuckle (Lonicera hildebrandiana) has stems that look like ropes. Attached are shiny, deep green, oval leaves. The intensely fragrant, tubular flowers boom in summer. Hummingbirds visit the flowers.
Easter lily vine (beaumontia grandiflora), can reach 30 feet. It has veined, large leaves which have a felt-like down on their underside. From spring until fall, the vine produces Easter-lily shaped white flowers. These fragrant flowers have green veins and can be 5 inches long.
Spanish jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum), blooms in summer and perfumes the air with small white flowers. Its delicate glossy green leaves contribute to the lacy effect of the vine. It grows to 15 feet and drapes gracefully over fences and low walls.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Vine image by Klarsyn from Fotolia.com Bouganvilla image by Jan Ebling from Fotolia.com Wild Honeysuckle 1 image by DelB from Fotolia.com
