In Gardenprue, the winter is getting long and for this reason it has given us these last days to talk about plants that decide to bloom at this time to cheer up our faces a little. Walking last week, I came across the hedge of a house with an explosive bloom in the middle of February (Mediterranean climate). It was the orange trumpeter or winter Bignonia known by its scientific name as Pyrostegia venusta .

WINTER BIGNONIA, THE HEDGE THAT BLOOMS WITH COLD

On Friday we told you how there are certain plants, in whose genetic code they have programmed flowering in the cold winter months. The most extreme case that we have told you here in this blog was that of the Winter Viburnum months ago, whose flowering takes place with snow on top as you can see in the photos of the article. The Mecéreo or matacabra , which we talked about last Friday, begins to bloom from February, a month in which not so cold temperatures begin in some areas.

However, in today’s article we present you a climber whose flowering explodes in the middle of winter, yes, in frost-free climates. This climber is ideal for covering fences and creating a very dense hedge in which nothing can be seen (perfect for a house fence).

It has a great climbing ability. In fact, it needs a fence or tutors to be able to develop properly and unfold its full potential. If your climate is Mediterranean or pure , free of frost and sunny, you may want to consider a hedge or pergola with this climber.

ORIGINS AND PROVENANCE OF PYROSTEGIA VENUSTA

European is not. We cannot attribute its origin to us. It comes from South America , from countries like Brazil, Argentina or Bolivia among others. It belongs to the Bignoniáceas family. Their names are varied. Winter Bignonia, Bignonia ignea, Flame Liana or Orange Trumpeter. If there is something that defines this climber well to take it into account to cover the fence of a house, for example, it is:

• Fast growth
• Very dense foliage
• Explosive flowering in winter
• Moderate Needs and Care

WINTER BIGNONIA GROWING CONDITIONS

CLIMATE AND SOIL

The only consideration to keep in mind is that Pyrostegia venusta is  sensitive to frost . From this premise and knowing what your climate zone is like, you will know if you can plant it outdoors or in greenhouses or terraces with galleries. It requires good lighting, even direct, although it does not grow poorly in semi-shady conditions. If the area is very windy, it is convenient to protect it from cold winds or directly avoid its cultivation in the areas where it hits more profusely.

Although the preferences may seem somewhat demanding, the truth is that it supports a wide range of soils. The soils you need should have some organic matter and slightly acidic pH.

In our case, the photos correspond to a typically Mediterranean limestone soil, light and not very rich in organic matter, being curiously the type of soil contrary to what is advised in many cases. We imagine that the contribution of organic matter and some extra fertilizer will have been taken into account according to the impressive flowering shown in the photos.

IRRIGATION AND SUBSCRIBER

The water needs are not very abundant. It is not that it withstands the drought well but it is not something that we should be excessively aware of, although we have already said that it should not be abandoned , especially in hot climates with little rainfall.

We can use a specific fertilizer for the flowering stage, although it is not very necessary given its invasive nature and rapid growth.

PRUNING, SOMETHING ESSENTIAL IF YOU DON’T WANT IT TO GET OUT OF HAND

If there is something that Pyrostegia venusta requires without a doubt, it is a really strict pruning after flowering. It’s the only way to keep it at bay. This aspect should be taken into account before deciding to plant it. If you are one of those who prunes one year and not two, this is not going to be your plant. With pruning we get:

• Stimulate branching, achieving more denseness and therefore better covering that fence or pergola on which it is supported.
• Control its very rapid growth
• Year after year, we will achieve more abundant and spectacular blooms .

As a final note, we have to say that training or support is necessary , as a climber that it is, to achieve all its majesty.