About
A vigorous, climbing vine bearing flared, trumpet-shaped yellow flowers. The conspicuous blooms are particularly aromatic in the evening. Not hardy in the UK but in many tropical regions of the world it is listed as invasive.
About the genus
A genus of climbing, flowering plants native to Latin America and the Caribbean, with trifid, claw-like tendrils (divided into three parts) and tubular-shaped yellow flowers. Dolichandra unguis-cati is vigorous and invasive and can smother and kill canopy trees
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClimbing
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toS America, Caribbean
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in large pots of peat-free, loam-based compost. Outdoors select a sunny, sheltered site in moisture-retentive soil. Provide support for the twining tendrils
PruningPruning group 11
PropagationPropagate by seed, softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybug, scale insect and aphids
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free