Podranea ricasoliana
Podranea ricosaliana still has a few flowers. This one is behind the shed, but there are some on the pergola as well. All my plants were cuttings from ones Jane had growing up telephone poles at her B&B in Homerville. I now know that growing them up telephone poles is not a good way to go, since they have no climbing mechanism, so would need to be tied in all the time. Also, they are much too aggressive for such a location.
Woodlanders (which is where I first discovered what this was) says “Plant in sunny site with well-drained soil and allow ample space to grow.” True, I’m sure, but this gives no idea of what a friendly vine this is. Yes, it gets big. But it is not invasive, in that it doesn’t spread underground. Now that it has reached the top of the pergola, it doesn’t need to be tied, but just sprawls over the pergola. I never water it, and the only maintenance is chopping off the branches that come drooping down between the rafters. And the flowers are very showy. All in all, an excellent vine for a big pergola. (Of course this may be famous last words and it will turn out to be a wisteria-mimic, eventually tearing the pergola down.
My podranea just froze back when temperatures finally fell to the mid-20s a couple of nights last week. You’re right about needing ample room! I started out with two 4-inch pots of it and it has completely taken over the entire north fence. Although it does die back with the freeze, I have found it to be invasive in my Austin garden. As you say, it doesn’t seem to spread by underground roots; however, anywhere the vine touches the ground it roots and starts new plants.
Do you find the scent of foliage unpleasant? I think it smells kind of like skunk.
Glad you can make it to the Spring Fling. I look forward to seeing you there.
Comment by mss @ Zanthan Gardens — January 9, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
It’s certainly not a tidy plant, but I guess mine is not a tidy garden. I think the one on the pergola is going to have to go, but I like the flowers of the one that is rambling through the east hedge.
Comment by karen — January 10, 2008 @ 8:02 am