type : Evergreen, Shrubs, Vines / Ground Covers, Deciduous
sun exposure : Full Sun, Partial Shade
water : Regular Water
Plant Details
Woody vines and vinelike shrubs that are easy to grow in moist soil. Flowers are not prominent, but foliage is a lovely glossy green.
carolina moonseed
cocculus carolinus
- Woody deciduous or evergreen vine.
- Zones US, MS, LS, CS; USDA 6-9.
- Deciduous in Upper and Middle South; evergreen in Lower and Coastal South.
- Native from Florida to Virginia and west to Texas.
- Grows rapidly to 1012 feet., climbing by tendrils; needs support.
- Oval, pointed, medium green leaves reach 4 inches long.
- Blooms in spring, with greenish white flowers in 3- to 5 inches-long clusters; blossoms are not as showy as the glossy bright red berries that appear in late summer and fall.
- Gets its common name from its crescent-shaped seeds.
- Tolerates most soils, including alkaline ones.
- Can be weedy and difficult to eradicate.
wild olive
cocculus laurifolius
- Evergreen shrub.
- Zones CS, TS; USDA 9-11.
- Native to the Himalayas.
- Usually multistemmed, with arching, spreading growth; shiny, leathery oblong leaves to 6 inches., with three strongly marked veins running from base to tip.
- Grows slowly at first, then moderately rapidly to 25 feet (or more) tall and wide; can be kept smaller by pruning.
- Long, willowy branches are as easily led and trained as vines; fastened to a trellis, they make an effective screen.
- Can also be trained as an espalier.
- Staked and trained as a tree, the plant takes on an umbrella shape.