Bignoniaceae

Subfamily
Tribe Bignonieae

Podranea ricasoliana (Tanfani) T. Sprague

Description: [syn Bignonia rosea, Pandorea ricasoliana, Tecoma ricasoliana]
This evergreen member of the Bignonia family (Bignoniaceae) can grow to 16-20 feet tall and can spread equally as wide. Although often listed as very tender, this vine can tolerate winter temperatures in the low 20 degrees F with just tip damage. Plant in full sun and water occasionally to infrequently during the warmer months of the year. In mild California coastal gardens this beautiful vine will bloom for much of the year. Good also as a groungcover sprawling over rocks, even tolerating coastal sea spray. The name podranea is an anagram of the name for the closely related Australian plant Pandorea.
Propagate from cuttings in summer or from seed in spring.

Culture: The secret is to grow them in a pot with low nitrogen levels and feed with tomato fertiliser. The vine throws incredibly long flower bearing stems to 10ft or more which should be trained and pruned annually to create a woody framework. (Info from www.plantsman.com catalogue -31DEC02)

San Marcos Growers Website Botanica, Turner & Wasson, 1997, CD-ROM Version