Saturday, February 27, 2010

Flaming flame vine

I wonder how this plant got its common name??

Inspired by fellow South Florida blogger, TOG of Coral Gables who posted pix of a hedge of flame vine (Pyrostegia venusta), I'm posting pix I took at Fairchild Garden this week. Generally, I'm not a fan of orange flowers, but this was a stunning sight.

The vine is native to Brazil and is vigorous enough to smother trees, so it needs to be con
trolled, but, as TOG's photos show, it makes a nice hedge, too.

13 comments:

BernieH said...

I just love this climber ... it makes an outstanding display.

Bangchik and Kakdah said...

The flexibility that climbing plants can offer to suit gardener taste. The flowers are very exotic.

NanaK said...

That is a stunning display. Are those just buds or is that the full flower? I love the arrangement of that photo with all the stark forms of the desert plants and then - POP!

Autumn Belle said...

If this vine is growing among the vast green foliage of a tropical rainforest, it will certainly look like flames or a fire. It is indeed a lovely flower.

debsgarden said...

It is a beautiful vine. It reminds me a lot of trumpet creeper, which grows around here. The hummingbirds love it. I bet they like this vine, too.

Floridagirl said...

That is a beautiful tropical vine! Fairchild looks beautiful even in winter. I need to get down there some day.

Noel Morata said...

aloha penny,

how wonderful to finally check out your site...isn't great to share similar zones and plants....i'll be visiting more.... i do love this vine also! i wish i had time to visit fairchild when i was in florida, it was a little too far from where i was visiting initially :(

Terra Mirabilis said...

Thanks, everyone. I composed a response last night to each comment, but apparently never posted it. Sigh. Still, be assured I appreciate and read everything. However for NanaK, the flowers do open further and there's a nice pic at http://www.californiagardens.com/Plant_Pages/pyrostegia_venusta.htm.
And to everyone: Fairchild is a national treasure (imho) and except for immediately after a hurricane or the rare freeze, is always beautiful, so put it on your list of gardens to see before you die. :)

Ami said...

What a stunning scene! I need to visit Fairchild soon....

Found your garden via blotanical. Wonder how I have missed a garden so close to me :) I live in Ft. lauderdale.

Like your blog, added it into my blog list so that I can come back to visit more.

Welcome to stop by my blog as well at : http://sefloridagardenevolvement.blogspot.com.

James David said...

Very beautiful, look so much like the Climbing Golden Vine.
Wonder if they are the same species.

Terra Mirabilis said...

@Ami: Ft Lauderdale? You're in the frozen north! The local office of the NWS issued a statement this morning saying it's been the coldest winter in 30 years! As if we didn't already know ... :)

@James: This is the problem with common names....

TOG said...

Before 1950 most of the flame vines grew on the homes roof. The orange color was very much like a fires flame.
I think that Climbing Golden Vine is Stigmaphyllon floribundum

Terra Mirabilis said...

Thanks, TOG!