The Rhodochiton is another one of my favs for summer.
It hangs in baskets either in a greenhouse or outside in the hot sun. It loves heat.
Also known as Rhocochiton atroswanguineus. Fancy name.
It climbs and twirls like fuschia.
In some countries, where it comes from, like Mexico, it most likely is a perennial.
Here, on Vancouver Island, it is an annual.
But I've seen it grow right up until frost, or November, whichever comes first.
Around here, it's called Purple Bell Vine.
Heart pointed leaves.
Dark purple. Some rhodochitons are white. Like Cordelia.
The flower vines twirl and twirl .
With flowers that hang down like pendants.
Rhodochiton first showed up in 1829.
Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini collected seeds
and sent them to as many botanical institutions that he could find.
Three species of Rhodochiton exist.
In the Sierra Madre del Sur....
Northern Oaxaca, MExico,
And Chiapas.
In these places the Rhodochiton grows at massive altitudes.
Between 1300 and 3500 metres.
Here, they grow at sea level. Basically.
In a nice pot. That hangs.
In Mexico it grown in places that cannot be reached.
Lucky us to be able to find it in the greenhouse stores.
Growing in little tubs.
In 1836 it was labelled an ornamental creeper.
And creep it does.
And twines and twirls.
All summer long.........
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