Re: Bignoniacae

Hello Edward,
In answer to your question regarding the Bignonia's:

Tecomaria capensis, a native south African shrub/vine,
has survived big freezes here in northern California
and older established plants recovered from the roots
from low temperatures of 20 F, but it is susceptible
to frost damage at temperatures approaching freezing. 
Sunset Western Garden Book recommends it for protected
areas in their Zones 14/15, which can get down to 20 F
in winter.  It is probably best used as a plant in a
container which can be protected under overhanging
roof eaves against a south facing wall in your
climatic zone, or taken indoors, or treated as a
summer annual, to be replaced every spring.  It is
fairly easy to root from cuttings, and being fast
growing, will bloom from a small plant by mid summer.

The second vine, Bignonia capreolata, is native to the
south and eastern United States, as far north as
southern Illinois and west to Dallas, Texas, and will
take climatic lows equal to USDA Zone 6.  This vine is
not much grown here in California, as the bloom season
is rather short, and it is not as showy as many of the
other trumpet vines which we can grow here.  This is a
great vine for hot summer/cold winter areas, however,
and the small reddish flowers can be showy, for the
month to 6 weeks that they bloom.  Of the two vines, I
think you would have much better luck with the B.
capreolata in northern Italy.




- Edward Faridany <ekf@lineone.net> wrote:
> I am sure many people grow one or more of these
> climbers, if only Campsis Mme. Galen.
> However, of the less hardy varieties please may I
> hear the experience  of those who grow them in areas
> where there is winter frost [Tuscany, Lombardy eg]?
> Particularly, any experience of successfully growing
> Bignonia capensis or Bignonia capreolata would be  
> very useful to hear.
> Edward Faridany
>   
> 




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