'Mrs Rivers'Condensed Version:
The Mexican blood trumpet is native to the moist regions of Mexico, producing long, luminous, coral-red flowers with yellowish throats, which contrast beautifully against the large green leaves. Flowering is continuous during the warmer months. “Mrs Rivers” is a unique garden hybrid which also flowers abundantly and is the centre of attention when in bloom, with its intense mauve-pink flowers with yellow at the base. The Mexican blood trumpet and Mrs Rivers are valued ornamentals for the garden, and are not confined only to tropical looking gardens, blending just as beautifully in country cottage homes, or with modern architecture. Because of the intense colour of the flowers of these exquisite vines and their long blooming period, they deserve to be grown up close to outdoor living areas. Allow them to spread over a garden arch, pergola or balcony, or let them cascade down sunny walls and fences.
Both these fast growing evergreen vines adapt easily in many climatic regions of South Africa, but thrive in the moist, frost-free, summer rainfall regions of the country. They are not, however, very well-suited to extremely hot, dry, or very cold inland areas; and although they grow well in the subtropical summer rainfall regions, they do not do so well in maritime conditions close to the coast. These vines will also grow in the winter rainfall regions if they can be watered regularly in summer. Despite being tropical in origin, these climbers tolerate light to moderate frost. Try to site them where they are sheltered from strong winds which will destroy the beautiful flowers. Generally they grow +-6 to 10m tall in the garden, with an equal spread; but in colder regions they are much less vigorous. These vines will adapt to most garden soils, but prefer a moist, fertile, well-drained soil. They love full sun but will tolerate a bit of shade. If the vines are well mulched and established, they are reasonably drought tolerant, requiring only moderate watering during very hot and dry spells. Apply a balanced organic fertiliser every 6 weeks in spring and summer. They are easy to train and prune, but remember that they are vigorous plants with vigorous roots systems, requiring strong supports to grow up. The plants produce forked tendrils that help them to clamber up trellises, fences, trees and walls, but initially you will need to train them to climb up.
Full Version:
Description, History & Interesting Facts:
This small genus (family) of evergreen flowering vines comes from the tropical regions of the West Indies and the Americas. The Mexican blood trumpet is native to the moist regions of Mexico, growing in open forest and scrub to a height of 15m or more. The long, luminous, coral-red flowers with yellowish throats contrast beautifully against the large green leaves, and are produced on 20 to 25cm long racemes. Flowering is continuous during warmer months. The Mexican blood trumpet has undergone a number of name changes, and for a very long time was known as Bignonia cherere; later as Phaedranthus buccinatorius and then as Distictis buccinatoria. The current classification name, according to The Plant List, the collaborative authoritative listing by Kew Botanic Garden and Missouri Botanic Garden, is Amphilophium buccinatorium. If all of this re-classification info leaves your head spinning – stick to calling it by its common name “Mexican blood trumpet”. “Mrs Rivers” is a unique garden hybrid of two closely related vines of Mexico and tropical Central America. It also flowers abundantly during the warm months and is the centre of attention when in bloom, with its intense mauve-pink flowers with yellow at the base.
These climbers are classified as lianas, which are long-stemmed, woody vines that are rooted in the soil, but which use trees and other vegetation as a means of vertical support in order to climb up to the well-lit areas of the canopy, where they bloom profusely in the sun and are a magnet for hummingbirds in their natural environment.
In the Garden:
The Mexican blood trumpet and Mrs Rivers are valued ornamentals for the garden, producing lush green foliage which is a perfect backdrop for the spectacular displays of flowers which bloom continuously during warm weather. Romantic tropical hideaways are defined by one plant - the trumpet vine - and what clematis is to England, the trumpet vine is to America. In warm regions the vines grows exceptionally fast and will cover 10m of fence or trellis in a single year with a curtain of luxurious foliage and flowers. The versatility of these vines is not, however, confined only to tropical looking gardens and they blend just as beautifully in country cottage homes, or with modern architecture. Because of their long blooming period, they deserve to be grown up close to outdoor living areas. Allow them to spread over a garden arch, pergola or balcony to provide welcome shade, or let them cascade down sunny walls and fences. They are also great to cover a carport or to hide an ugly building or shed, and in tropical gardens they are often seen climbing high up into trees and shrubs.
Mexican Blood Trumpet. Picture courtesy MalanseunsCultivation:
Both these fast growing evergreens adapt easily in many climatic regions of South Africa, but thrive in the moist, frost-free, summer rainfall regions of the country. They are not, however, very well-suited to extremely hot, dry, or very cold inland areas; and although they grow well in the subtropical summer rainfall regions, they do not do so well in maritime conditions close to the coast. These vines will also grow in the winter rainfall regions if they can be watered regularly in summer. Despite being tropical in origin, these climbers tolerate light to moderate frost, and temperatures as low as -3 degrees for short spells. In colder regions, plant them in large pots, or select a very sheltered position in the garden, like against a warm sunny wall, and mulch the roots well in winter. Smaller plants can be covered in winter until established. Established plants will generally regenerate from the roots after a big freeze cuts them right down to the ground. Try to site these climbers where they are sheltered from strong winds which will destroy the beautiful flowers.
In warm regions these vigorous vines grow quickly, and if left un-checked can climb up very high, but this is not advised, especially in smaller gardens. Generally they will grow +-6 to 10m tall in the garden, with an equal spread; but in colder regions they are much less vigorous. They prefer a moist, fertile, well-drained soil, but will adapt to most well-drained garden soils, from sandy loam to clay loam. Add generous amounts of compost and a good dressing of bone meal to the planting hole. They love full sun but will tolerate a bit of shade. If the vines are well mulched and watered regularly until they are established, they are reasonably drought tolerant, requiring only moderate watering during very hot and dry spells. Apply a balanced organic fertiliser every 6 weeks in spring and summer.
They are easy to train and prune, but remember that they are vigorous plants with vigorous roots systems, requiring strong supports to grow up. The plants produce forked tendrils that help them to clamber up trellises, fences, trees and walls, but initially you will need to train them to climb up. Light or severe pruning can be carried out anytime in spring or summer once the vines have finished blooming; this will encourage repeat flowering and keep the plant in check.
Propagation:
Propagation is from seed, air layering, or from semi-hardwood cuttings under mist.
Pests & Diseases:
If grown correctly, these climbers are relatively trouble free but can be affected by a few pests and diseases such as powdery mildew, aphids, mealybug and scale insects.