Re : Bignoniaceae

Hi Edward,
 
Here near Montpellier Bignonia capensis (we call it Tecomaria capensis) is a bit tender, we have to grow it in a very sheltered spot. The plant is cut down to the ground at about -5 ° C, but it will recover in spring if temperatures do not go below - 10 ° C.
 
You could also try Podranea ricasoliana, with large pink flowers in autumn. It dies back in winter but grows very quickly in spring and summer and is able to bloom each autumn with no problem. The cultivar 'Comtesse Sarah' flowers earlier, as soon as July.
 
Pandorea will probably be to tender for Tuscany, you can skip that one. But if you find Macfadyena unguis cati (it really has cat claws to cling to old walls and trees), it has nice yellow flowers in spring, which are worth trying.
 
Bignonia capreolata is hardier, the leaves turn brown at about - 8 to - 10 ° C. It makes a fine evergreen climber, with brownish orange flowers which have a strange smell of coffee. Mine is planted not far away from a Buddleja madascariensis (Sean's old tennis socks) and a bed of Tulbaghia violaceae (crushed garlic)....domestic athmosphere.
 
Olivier
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index