Habitat

• native to Connecticut down through Florida and across to Texas
• hardy to zone 4, warmer parts of 3

Habit and Form

• a deciduous twining vine
• somewhat vigorous
• 10' to 20', depending on structure
• medium texture
• fast growth rate

Summer Foliage

• opposite, simple leaves
• simple, deciduous leaves
• ovate leaf shape
• 1" to 3" long
• glaucous underside
• first two leaf pairs below flower are connected
• leafs out early
• blue-green leaf color
• new growth reddish purple

Autumn Foliage

• no fall color
• leaves drop green

Flowers

• perfect flowers
• flower is orangy-red on the outside and yellow on the inside
• tubular
• up to 2" long
• flowers clustered on whorled spikes
• blooms in spring and sporadic through season

Fruit

• deep, red berries
• 0.25" in diameter
• matures in September

Bark

• twining, thin stems
• tan colored
• glabrous

Culture

• easy to grow
• easily transplanted
• prefers well-drained, neutral soil
• full sun to shade
• needs support
• prune after flowering

Landscape Use

• quick covering vine
• bank cover
• fence cover
• arbor
• for flowering effect
• attracts hummingbirds

Liabilities

• powdery mildew
• leaf spot

ID Features

• first two leaf pairs are connected under flowers
• twining vine
• dual colored flowers
• flowers are not fragrant
• opposite leaf arrangement
• small red fruit
• no fall color

Propagation

• by cuttings
• by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

'Alabama Crimson' - A cultivar that is becoming very common in commerce, this plant sports bright red blooms that are produced sporadically throughout the season.

'Blanche Sandman' - This form has orange-red blooms that are produced even after the initial flush. It is resistant to leaf diseases.

'Cedar Lane' - A deep red-flowering form, this plant produces abundant bloom. It is less prone to leaf diseases.

'John Clayton' - Becoming more popular in the trade, this selection bears clear yellow blooms that repeat throughout the season.

'Magnifica' (perhaps f. magnifica, may be the same as 'Superba') - A cultivar of questionable identity and existence, this plant features bright red blooms that will repeat with good culture.

'Sulphurea' (also known as 'Flava') - This form features profuse bright yellow blooms and bright green foliage.