Rhodochiton atrosanguineus

Rhodochiton atrosanguineus is a lovely Mexican liana sometimes called "Purple Bell Vine" due to the shape of its flowers. Stretching over 2 metres (7 feet), its twining stems cling to any available support, such as trellises, tipis, or wire fences, using the petioles of its leaves transformed into tendrils. It tirelessly blooms from summer until early autumn, with long pendulous purple tubular flowers suspended from a beautiful violet calyx. It is a tender plant that can be grown as an annual and also in a conservatory during the winter. It will make a great impact in hanging baskets, cascading with flowers.

Rhodochiton atrosanguineus (synonym R. atrosanguineum) is a plant from the Plantaginaceae family, just like the climbing snapdragon (or lophospermum). It is native to Central America, specifically the southwest of Mexico, where it can be found on the edge of temperate rainforests. It is a herbaceous plant with a woody base, perennial from its stump, frost-tolerant (its stump can withstand up to -5°C (23°F)), but with very rapid growth: capable of reaching a height of 2.5m (8ft) in one season, it is often grown as an annual in temperate climates.

The stems of the 'Purple Bell Vine' bear heart-shaped, slightly hairy, light green leaves, often veined with purple. Flowering occurs from July to October. Hanging flowers, 4cm (2in) long, emerge from the leaf axils, suspended from long pinkish peduncles. Each flower consists of a calyx of pink-purple sepals, 2-3cm (1in) in diameter, bell-shaped, from which hangs a tubular corolla of dark violet that widens into 5 lobes. The centre of this corolla is occupied by white stamens. After pollination by insects, the flowers give way to fruits containing 3mm (0in) diameter seeds that easily germinate at 15-18°C (59-64.4°F).

Use the exotic and surprising Rhodochiton atrosanguineus, like the Asarina scandens, the Canary Creeper, or the Black-Eyed Susans, with which you can combine it on a wire fence, a small structure, as ground cover, or to decorate the terrace or balcony. It is entirely possible to keep this plant from year to year by growing it in a pot that you will overwinter protected from frost, in a bright space such as a conservatory or orangery.