posted by Bearcatdog
11/29/2008
Region: Northeast
Zone: 6





I live in St. Catharines, Southern Ontario, Canada. I grew this vine as an annual for the first time in summer 2008. I grew it in a flowerbox as well as in the ground in full sun with western exposure for both. The flowerbox vine was planted up with potting mix and smartcote vitamins. The vines planted in the garden were simply planted in (okay enriched) garden soil with smartcote vitamins added. Both vines had metal trellises to grow on. This vine was absolutely awesome. I planted them mid June, by July they started flowering. They flowered nonstop until mid November! I will continue to grow this vine as an annual year to year. It was absolutely stunning and reached heights of 15 feet with continuous blooms from top to bottom! The blooms were stunning ranging in colour from white to yellow to orange and ending with red. The leaves were shaped similar to maple tree leaves with purple tinges on green, they were beautiful. I couln't have grown weeds easier than I did this vine! I read that I could harvest the seeds (which I did, once the round pods had turned to brown)and either pot them up early in the house or directly into the ground once all danger of frost is over. I will be trying both of the above methods come spring, wish me luck! I also planted some seeds in the ground, I'm curious if they will survive freezing this winter and germinate in the spring. Hummingbirds came continuously to drink it's nectar. The vines were eyestoppers and rated reviews from everyone that walked past the house. I grow many annual and perennial vines every year, this vine quickly became my favourite. I reccommend this vine to everyone~
posted by westview
11/18/2008
Region: Lower Plains
Zone: 8





My experience may not be typical but I won't grow this again. The flowers were interesting but didn't even start to appear until September. I want summer color so was disappointed.
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Photo/Illustration: Danielle Sherry