VINES 
SHOWY COMBRETUM (C. grandi- 
florum). This is a Fairchild Tropical Gar- 
den introduction from Gambia, West 
Africa. Rapidly growing handsome vine 
with large shiny leaves and gorgeous 
elongated sprays of upright-pointing flow- 
ers of two shades of bright scarlet. The 
tip leaves of the branches turn wine red 
at flowering time. The flowers are filled 
with nectar and are so set on the branches 
that the sprays make superb table decora- 
tions. The vine requires full sunlight. It 
will not flower in a shady place. Flowers 
in December-January. 
SKY FLOWER (Thunbergia grandi- 
flora). Large, woody, free-flowering ever- 
green vine from northern India, popular 
in Florida patios because of its clusters 
of handsome, bell-shaped sky-blue flow- 
ers, 3 inches wide and deep, produced 
more or less all the year. T. grandiflora 
alba is the white-flowered form, a magni- 
ficent plant where it has plenty of room. 
STEPHANOTIS (S. floribunda). Mad- 
agascar vine to 10 feet or more, bearing 
great clusters of pure white, very fra- 
grant flowers in May. This is the flor- 
ists’ favorite flower for brides’ bouquets. 
The plant does well in Florida, is best 
grown on a trellis. Common names are 
Madagascar Jasmine and Clustered Wax- 
flower. 
CLYTOSTOMA (C._ callistegioides). 
Beautiful evergreen vine from Argentina, 
bearing through winter and spring months 
pale purple, yellow-throated 4-inch fun- 
nel-shaped flowers in pairs. Most spec- 
tacular vine in my garden running along 
a fence, attracts every eye. This was 
formerly called Bignonia speciosa. 
MEXICAN FLAME VINE (Senecio 
confusus). Rampant, evergreen vine that 
covers stumps, waste places and fences 
with handsome abandon. Don’t plant it 
unless you can keep it in check. Produces 
copious clusters of bright orange flowers 
winter and spring. 
QUEEN’S WREATH (Petrea volubilis). 
Magnificent woody evergreen vine from 
Brazil, flowering four times a year, with 
clusters of violet-like flowers of two shades. 
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of blue, in hanging clusters. The very 
rough leaves give it the common name 
of Sandpaper Vine. Do not confuse this 
with what the florists call “Queen’s 
Wreath” (Antigonon leptopus). 
PODRANEA (P. riscascliana). African 
vine for the trellis, with pale pink, funnel- 
shaped flowers striped red, 2 inches long, 
in loose clusters. This beautiful plant is 
commonly called “Pandorea” in Florida. 
EASTER LILY VINE (Beaumontia 
grandiflora, Syn. Echites grandiflora). 
This very strong climber from northern 
India produces in March and April a pro- 
fusion of fragrant, bell-shaped, 5-inch 
white flowers that give the vine its other 
common name, Herald’s Trumpet. Climb- 
ing very tall trees and requiring lots of 
growing room, Beaumontia requires full 
sun and will not thrive unless planted out. 
It should be cut back after flowering. 
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BIGNONIA CHERERE 
SCARLET TRUMPET VINE. (Big- 
nonia cherere Syn. Phaedranthus buccina- 
torius). This beautiful evergreen vine that 
will stand slight frosts, makes a heavy, 
verdant cover and bears large sprays of 
trumpet flowers 4 to 5 inches long and 2 
inches wide, bright red with a yellow tube. 
