Pensacola News Journal

For: Saturday, July 13, 2002

By: Daniel E. Mullins

Extension Horticulture Agent

Santa Rosa County

A Great Native Vine for the Landscape

There is renewed interest in ornamental vines for the landscape. Fifty years ago almost every southern home sported vines climbing the porch or on an arbor.

Someone came to the gardening clinic last week and asked me to recommend a vine for their yard. After a discussion it became obvious that this situation called for a species of vine that would be controllable. Aside from flowering, leaf characteristics and other features, a vine must stay in scale with the surroundings. We have all heard about the effects of overly aggressive vines such as Chinese Wisteria and Kudzu.

The first that came to mind was the little known Cross Vine. This is a wonderful native that rarely gets out of hand. Botanically, it is Bignonia capreolata.

This is a woody evergreen vine that will grab and hold onto any but the most smooth surfaces. The tendrils produce adhesive discs at their tips and climbing is achieved by both twining and clinging by these small discs.

Though the opposite leaf arrangement is so distinctive that cross vine can be identified at a distance, the flowers are its main feature. They are large and showy, occurring during early spring. The flower color ranges from orange to reddish-orange.

I was fishing the first time that this vine caught my attention – and it takes a lot to get my attention while fishing. This particular vine stretched across a small body of water by growing on some low hanging tree branches. There were trees in the background and its reflection was in the water. Indescribable is the word. Where’s the camera? At home of course!

As interest in vines continues we will see this and other natives become more readily available on the market. I can also assure you that somewhere a botanist, plant breeder or horticulturist has taken a special interest in this vine. We will soon see cultivars or special selections that have been developed.

Cross vine will grow under a wide range of conditions. Though it prefers full sun, it grows well in partial shade or filtered sunlight. It is found growing naturally in diverse habitats from uplands to lowlands. Given a choice it would probably perform best in a moist location however.

It will not be readily available, but the persistent gardener can find cross vine. Check with nurseries and garden centers that specialize in or offer some native plants.

Question of the Week: I have many tomatoes on my plants but fear that they will rot due to the rains that we are receiving. What should I do?

Answer: Regular applications of an approved tomato fungicide will help to protect them. Avoid handling plants or picking when the foliage is wet. This can spread rot and blight diseases. Also, consider picking them as soon as they start turning pink and allow them to finish ripening indoors. The eating quality will not be reduced significantly if they are picked in this stage.

Note: Don’t place those that are pink in the refrigerator. Wait until they are fully ripe if they must be refrigerated. The development of flavor ceases once they are chilled.