Vine or creeper plant - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Asparagus officinalis has been used from very early times as a vegetable and medicine, owing to its delicate flavor and diuretic properties.

French hybrid from the 1920s of Jasminum beesianum x Jasminum officinale: vigorous climbing vine with fragrant pale pink June flowers very quickly fading to a mother of pearl white. Will not bud until the plant is well established. Considered hardy to Zone 7. Flowering period - Early to midsummer. Long tube that flares out (salverform) on a loose cyme bearing 5 to 6 light pink, fragrant flowers. When it is in bloom the hummingbirds flock to it.

Most popular orchidss from the 600 or so species in existance come from the tropics of the Americas, but there are a few which grow in the higher elevations, and therefore require cooler conditions, hybrids are more tolerant than the species, as in most plants. These orchids can be varied in their cultural requirements, the hybrids are tolerant of wide ranges in temperature, and broadly speaking do best in an intermediate environment. There are many varieties however spread throughout the world, and cultural requirements differ widely amongst the species, hence the following is given as a general rule for most hybrids. Minimum night temperatures of 50F, depending on the plants' origin, are needed, but growth in summer is rapid at temperatures up to 88F. A humid atmosphere, propelled by a fan is beneficial. In hot weather shade sufficiently to ensure that the leaves are cool to the touch. If you are growing in the home give a bright situation but not direct sunlight, behind a net curtain, from April to September. These also make good conservatory plants as long as summer shade and good air movement can be provided. From March to September the medium should never be allowed to dry out completely. Water twice a week and fertilize fortnightly with a recommended orchid fertilizer. From October to February, no fertilizer is needed, but water the plants when the medium appears dried out. It is better to underwater as the plants can stand neglect more than over watering.

Odontocidium, abbreviated as Odcdm. is the nothogenus comprising intergeneric hybrids of the two orchid genera Odontoglossum and Oncidium (Odm. x Onc.).

x Wilsonara, abbreviated as Wils. in the horticultural trade, is the nothogenus for intergeneric hybrids between the three orchid genera Cochlioda, Odontoglossum and Oncidium (Cda. x Odm. x Onc.).

x Howeara, abbreviated as Hwra. is the nothogenus for intergeneric hybrid of the three genera Leochilus, Oncidium and Rodriguezia.

Oncidesa is the hybrids of Gomesa and Oncidium. Oncidesa Gower Ramsey has three species in its background: Gomesa flexuosa, Gomesa varicosa, Oncidium sphacelatum

See Orchid page for pictures of different orchids and care info.

The Psophocarpus tetragonolobus plant grows as a vine with climbing stems and leaves, 3-4 m in height. It is an herbaceous perennial, but can be grown as an annual.

The beans are used as a vegetable, but the other parts (leaves, flowers, and tuberous roots) are also edible.

Momordica charantia is an annual and has a creeping or climbing stem. The fruit is broadly egg shaped, beaked, bumpy, ribbed, to 10 cm long and golden yellow to bright orange. At maturity the fruit breaks, bursting open along the 3 valves. The orange pulp contains bright red arils which enclose the seeds.

Momordica charantia has been used extensively in folk medicine as a remedy for diabetes. In Ayurveda, the fruit is considered as tonic, stomachic, stimulant, emetic, antibilous,laxative and alterative. The fruit is useful in gout, rheumatism and subacute cases of the spleen and liver diseases. It has also been shown to have hypoglycaemic properties (anti-diabetic) in animal as well as human studies.

Plant in rich moist soil, in frost free areas, since bitter melon is very sensitve to frost. Do not water too much.

In cooler climates start planting in pots 6 weeks before the frost free date; transplant when there is no more danger of frost.

Cissus discolor, native to Java and Cambodia, is a fast growing, exotic looking, trailing vine, which is sometimes called Tapestry Vine or Rex Begonia Vine. It is not a begonia, but the medium sized lance shaped leaves have the bright colors of Rex Begonia leaves. The leaves are dark green with silver and purple blotches. It makes a gorgeous hanging basket. Thanks to its large, striking leaves and climbing growth, Cissus discolor has become a popular houseplant. The leaves and stems produce a natural secretion, tiny opaque dots, called cystolyths. Grow this Cissus in a hanging basket or let it climb up a trellis.

A creeping, mounding plant with dark green leaves having tiny crystals resembling grains of sugar on the leaves. It can be grown on a fence or other support as a vine or used in the open as a groundcover or even in a hanging basket.

Spurge family is well known for the poinsettia and other showy euphorbias, but not for its unusual vines. This is one which seems to enchant anyone who sees it. It has slender, somewhat hairy stems, climbing to 10-20'. Set along these are large, nearly heart-shaped, toothed leaves. The more dramatic feature, however, is the flowering shoots. Each has a pair of broad, pointed, reddish purple bracts, 2-3" long, widely spreading above and below the clustered small, whitish flowers. The impression is much like that of the Dove Tree, Davidia involucrata. Outstanding sized bracts with an eye-catching show of color characterize this vigorous growing vine. With a crepe-paper-type texture, violet pink bracts oppose each other in an open flat bloom, often reaching 5" in width. "Winged Beauty" flowers year-round with its heaviest bloom in late summer. Grows to 1-3' in container, vining in habit, minimum temperature 50F, everbloomer. This is a plant of rather easy culture but uncertain hardiness; it might recover after freezes of close to 20F. In any case, it thrives in sun or light shade, in reasonably well drained soil, with moderate to regular watering.

Pandorea jasminoides 'Rosea' - Southern bell is a bushy, twining vine native to South Africa. It has pretty pink flowers with pleasant smell. Very fast growing, great solution for those who need a fast growing vine to cover a fence.