When it comes to selecting plants that attract butterflies or hummingbirds we sometimes overlook vines. Here at Natalie Jordan’s hummingbird haven in Raymond, Mississippi, you’ll find several beautiful selections.
The largest flowered vine in her collection is a Thunbergia known as Brazilian Sky Flower. The clear blue flowers are as large as a baseball. Most references suggest zone 9 but it has been very happy here in zone 8.
The most prolific vine, from the standpoint of number of flowers, is probably the Brazilian Firecracker. This plant known botanically as Manettia produces fiery-red, tubular flowers by the hundreds, if not thousands, and is loved by hummingbirds.
The most uniquely shaped flower in the vine collection is the Blue Butterfly Pea. The flowers are iridescent blue and white. It attracts butterflies and produces an edible pod.
The Mexican Flame vine is another butterfly and hummingbird magnet. This is a woody tropical vine that produces brilliant orange, daisy-like flowers followed by dandelion-like seed pods. It is a great vine that stays rather confined.
Lastly and maybe the most unusual is the Red Wing. This shrubby vine is known botanically as Heteropterys. It produces scores of small orchid-like, yellow flowers that are soon followed by red-winged fruit pods. The red and yellow together make a great partnership. It has also been referenced at zone 9, but has grown quite large here in Raymond.
Natalie Jordan has shown there are a lot more vines to try than we ever imagined. Follow her lead and grow up, with vines. I’m Norman Winter for Southern Gardening.