Thursday, September 16, 2010

Evergreen and semi-evergreen Vine Of The Day

Bignonia capreolata 'Tangerine Beauty'
Crossvine

Type Vine
Hardy range 5B to 9B
Height 30' to 50' / 9.20m to 15.20m
Growth rate Fast
Form Spreading or horizontal and variable spread
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Evergreen and semi-evergreen

Bloom Color Orange
Bloom Time Summer
The flowers are very showy.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought and flooding.
This plant will grow in dry to wet or submerged soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color Copper

 Culture Notes This plant is often used as a high climbing vine, sometimes up to 30-50 feet, that may grow better with protection from the afternoon sun. Covers a fence or wall nicely and quickly. 'Tangerine Beauty' tends to flower sporadically throughout the summer. Cooler weather will turn its leaves a bronze color.

Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

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