type : Evergreen, Shrubs
sun exposure : Full Sun, Partial Shade
water : Regular Water
planting zones : CS (Coastal South) / Zone 9, TS (Tropical South) / Zone 10, TS (Tropical South) / Zone 11
Plant Details
From the forests of Central and South America. These fast-growing, vining shrubs have drooping, tubu- lar or trumpet-shaped flowers in clusters of up to 20 near ends of branches. Blooms from early spring through fallor year-round in frost- free areas. Leaves 58 inches long, 13 inches wide. Fruit is pulpy berries.
Lax growth is best staked up, espaliered, or draped over a fence or wall. Prune selectively to maintain size and shapeand to keep the flowers coming. Avoid pruning in late fall or when cold weather approaches. Hard prun- ing delays bloom. Protect from hard frosts. Cucumber beetles love to eat the leaves.
In addition to the following, specialists offer a number of other species and hybrids.
iochroma cyaneum
- Grows to 8 feet or more, with dull dark green leaves.
- Stems and new shoots are covered with soft, grayish down.
- Narrow trumpets are 23 inches long.
- Blossom color of seedlings varies from blues through violets and deep reds to purplish rose and pink.
- All have a metallic sheen.
- Buy plants in bloom to get the color you want, or select named varieties.
- Indigo is glossy violet-blue; 'Peachy Keen' has peachy red flowers; 'Royal Blue' is a lighter, more brilliant blue; 'Royal Queen Purple' has bright purple blooms; and 'Sky King' is a pure light blue.
iochroma fuchsioides
- To 10 feet or more, with glossy, bright green leaves.
- Brilliant orange-scarlet, tubular flowers with yellow throats look like fuchsia flowers.