Pyrostegia venusta

The Pyrostegia venusta bears many names such as Flame Vine, Firecracker Vine, Coral Vine, or even Saint John's Vine. It is a vigorous Brazilian climbing plant that attaches itself using tendrils. Pyrostegia venusta is appreciated for its long winter flowering in a vibrant orange. Its numerous clusters of flowers are beautifully highlighted by a foliage cut into shiny leaflets, of a dark green colour. Adapted to gardens on the Mediterranean, this frost-tender bignoniaceae loves the sun and the heat. It also makes a beautiful terrace or balcony subject, to be kept indoors during the winter in colder regions.  

The Pyrostegia venusta belongs to the Bignoniaceae family. It is native to southern Brazil, northern Argentina, and Paraguay. It is a tropical plant with a very mild climate:  its above-ground parts are destroyed at -2 °C, while the well-protected stump can sprout again in spring. It is quite tolerant of different types of soil, preferring rich and slightly moist soil, but can withstand moderate periods of drought once mature. Its growth is rapid, with its voluble stems equipped with tendrils. It can be trained into a large bushy shrub by regular pruning or left to cling to a structure. This plant easily produces suckers. This characteristic is often used to create large hedges, trimmed or untrimmed, in its native region. In favourable conditions and under a suitable climate, the Flame Vine can reach an average height of 11 m (36ft). If the plant is cut back every year due to frost, it will rarely exceed 2.50 m (8ft) in height. In a container, expect about 3 m (10ft) in height for 1 m (3ft) in width. The Flame Vine develops theoretically evergreen foliaage, when grown in frost-free conditions. Its pinnate leaves are composed of 2 or 3 tough leaflets measuring 4 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) long, with the central leaflet often transformed into a tendril. The abundant and spectacular flowering occurs from November-December to March. At the tip of the stems, clusters or thyrses of tubular flowers appear, measuring 3 to 7 cm (1 to 3in), incurved, with a waxy texture, opening into recurved lobes. Their colour ranges from orange-red to golden orange. After pollination, capsules measuring 3 cm (1in) long containing small seeds appear.

The Flame Vine is a very beautiful plant that should definitely be tried in the most sheltered coastal gardens. Its incandescent flowering creates an event throughout the winter, bringing a joyful note to a period of the year when colours are lacking. In the garden or on the terrace, for example, combine it with the blue blooms of Plumbago capensis or Ceratostigma griffithii, whose foliage turns a beautiful red in autumn. On the Riviera, this vine is often associated with a Campsis, which allows for a flowering wall for months. It forms surprising hedges that can be kept dense with discreet annual pruning. When left uncontrolled, the plant can run along the base of a wall or gradually cover it. In a pot, choose a large-volume container. You should store your Pyrostegia in a lightly heated veranda before the first frost arrives.