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Muehlenbeckia axillaris

Muehlenbeckia axillaris
Wire Vine

4,6/5
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Healthy plant. Good establishment.

Chantal, 21/09/2020

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From 3,70 € 8/9 cm pot
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This cousin of Muehlenbeckia complexa is a trailing or creeping bush, with slender stems covered in small semi-evergreen square leaves. It quickly forms a very effective ground cover to limit the spread of weeds, especially in rocky terrain. It tolerates the root competition of other plants, as well as drought if grown in open ground. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade. Its lovely trailing habit looks wonderful in hanging baskets. Originally from Australia and New Zealand, it can withstand temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F).
Flower size
5 mm
Height at maturity
10 cm
Spread at maturity
1 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -9°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time March to May
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Flowering time July to August
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Description

Muehlenbeckia axillaris, a close relative of Muehlenbeckia complexa (a beautiful New Zealand climbing plant), prefers to spread on the ground of rockeries or hang as light curtains in basins and hanging baskets on a patio. Its slender stems are covered with small square leaves that persist more or less in winter, quickly forming an effective ground cover in the garden to limit the spread of weeds. Easy to grow in mild climates, extremely versatile and adaptable, this unusual bush is perfect for adorning the base of trees or shrubs in dry climates. In more humid regions, it beautifully decorates a sunny rockery or a vegetated wall, stabilises an unattractive slope, or trains on a trellis.

 

Muehlenbeckia axillaris (synonym Pseudanthus tasmanicus) is a plant from the Polygonaceae family, a cousin of sorrel and knotweed. It is native to Tasmania, Australia, and New Zealand. In this dioecious bush, there are plants that bear fertile female flowers distinct from those that bear male flowers. Its foliage persists until -6°C (21.2°F) in winter. Its stems can be destroyed by frost, but the stump regenerates vigorously in spring until -10°C (14°F) in well-drained soil.

It tolerates relatively dry and well-drained soil, and withstands wind and sea spray. This bush has a low and creeping habit. It develops long, reddish-brown to blackish stems, covered with hairs that can root upon contact with the ground. Its growth is rapid, quickly forming a carpet 10 to 20cm (4 to 8in) tall and 2m (7ft) in diameter. Its foliage consists of tiny leaves a few millimetres long, almost square in shape, and arranged alternately along the branches. They are slightly glossy, bright green and rather light, sometimes edged with reddish tones. Flowering occurs in July-August in our climates. The flowers are tiny, gathered in clusters of 2 to 4 units measuring less than 1cm (1in) in diameter. Their colour is greenish, white, or white-pink.

 

The main advantage of Muehlenbeckia axillaris is undoubtedly its versatility: it can be planted both in the ground in mild regions, and in pots or hanging baskets to decorate a patio or balcony. It is a carefree plant that finds its place and thrives among other plants, as ground cover in rockeries, under shrubs and trees whose root competition it tolerates, alone or with other plants. Plant with small spring bulbs (crocuses, narcissus, botanical tulips, and hyacinths) to bring some colour to the garden or flowering pots. It can also be placed above low walls, for example with creeping rosemary, aubrietas, and wall bellflowers. It forms a very green carpet that enhances all its neighbouring perennial or shrubby plants, while preventing the proliferation of weeds. It is also useful for stabilising slopes, along with periwinkles, Algerian ivy, and creeping junipers, for example.

Muehlenbeckia axillaris in pictures

Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Flowering) Flowering
Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Foliage) Foliage
Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 10 cm
Spread at maturity 1 m
Habit creeping
Growth rate fast

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time July to August
Inflorescence Corymb
Flower size 5 mm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Muehlenbeckia

Species

axillaris

Family

Polygonaceae

Other common names

Wire Vine

Origin

Oceania

Product reference851421

Planting and care

Plant according to the regions. Plant in spring, after the last frost, in areas with limited hardiness. In hot and dry regions, plant in early autumn. Choose a sunny exposure in mild and humid climates, or partial shade (shade in the afternoon and evening) in hot and dry regions. It prefers sandy, rocky, poor, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Ultimately, it is not very demanding in terms of soil, even tolerating the presence of limestone. It is an extremely robust plant that only fears strong frosts. In well-drained soil, it will withstand brief frosts of around -10°C (14°F).

Muehlenbeckia axillaris is quite drought-resistant once well established. Monitor watering during the first 2 summers. Watering will become optional or unnecessary afterwards, except in the case of abnormally prolonged drought. Regular but spaced watering from spring to the end of summer, as well as adding compost in spring, allows for its cultivation in pots under good conditions.

Often sold as an indoor plant, Muehlenbeckia does not tolerate the warm and dry atmosphere of our interiors. However, growing in outdoor pots presents no difficulty: compose a mixture of potting soil, coarse sand, and garden soil. Water regularly and apply some green plant fertiliser every 15 days during the growing season, from March to August. You can overwinter your potted plants in a very bright room, protected from extreme cold. Watering should be reduced in winter.

16
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Planting period

Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time March to May

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container, Slope, Greenhouse
Hardiness Hardy down to -9°C (USDA zone 8b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral, Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, poor, stony, highly draining

Care

Pruning instructions It supports repeated pruning, which allows it to be contained in a defined space, in a pot, or trained on a trellis. Prune as needed once or twice a year, in March and at the end of summer.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March, September to October
Soil moisture Dry soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,6/5
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