Flame Vine

Scientific Name: Pyrostegia venusta (Ker-Gawl.) Miers
Synonym: Bignonia ignea, Bignonia venusta, Pyrostegia ignea
Family: Bignoniaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: 13,16,21-27
USDA: 9-11

Frost Tolerance: The blossoms often freeze in the colder part of its range, below 30° F (-1° C)

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Brazil

Growth Habits: Evergreen climbing shrub, fast growing, up to 80 feet long (24 m); compound leaves with 2 or 3 ovate acuminate leaflets, 1.6 to 3.2 inches long (4-8 cm) 0.8 to 1.8 inches wide (2-4.5 cm); third leaflet often a tendril.

Watering Needs: Little to moderate water, needs good drainage

Propagation: Cuttings, suckers, layers

Pyrostegia venusta, climbing habit, Photo by Forest & Kim Starr, starr-030201-0008

Blooming Habits:
Bright orange flowers, 2 to 3 inches long (5-7.5 cm), with corolla tubes reflexed, white hairs on the edges. They are grouped by up to 20 in a compact cluster. The flame vine blooms mostly in winter (January-February).

Fruiting Habits:
Pod, 10 to 12 inches long (25-30 cm).

Culture:
Cut down after the vine has finished blooming.