Podranea ricasoliana Seeds - Port St. Johns Creeper - Indigenous Perennial Climber Vine

Podranea ricasoliana Seeds

Port St Johns Creeper

Podranea is a genus of two species in the Bignoniaceae family. The genus name Podranea is an anagram of Pandorea, an Australian genus in which these species were once included. Podranea ricasoliana or Port St Johns Creeper is a fast-growing perennial climber with woody stems and glossy green leaves. From November to March large bunches of fragrant lilac-pink, trumpet-shaped, foxglove-like flowers are produced. It does best in full sun, in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil and benefits greatly from regular applications of well-rotted compost and plenty of water in summer. An established plant is tolerant of heat, strong sunlight, wind and periods of drought. It is tolerant of light frost and should survive a winter minimum of -7°C although it is better suited to frost free gardens. Young plants require protection from frost, but if an established plant is cut down by frost, it should resprout in spring. This is an excellent plant for arbors, pergolas and carports and is a valuable shade-giving plant in a hot climate. It is ideal for an informal hedge or planted against a wall or a fence to create a screen. It is a useful rambling ground cover for an embankment as the stems root wherever they touch the soil, forming large, swollen water- and soil-holding root clumps. It is suitable for the coastal garden. It looks good in a large container and is a candidate for espalier and can be pruned and trained into a weeping standard.