Muehlenbeckia complexa
| Muehlenbeckia complexa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 16' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Muehlenbeckia complexa (common name: maidenhair vine)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in autumn and overwinter in a cold frame. High percentage[1]. Plant out in late spring.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 5 - 10cm with a heel, October/November in a cold frame. High percentage[1].
Cultivation: Requires a well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[2]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure[3].
This species is hardy to about -5°c[4]. It does not withstand hard frosts, growing very well in south-western Britain but being killed back to the ground by severe frosts at Kew and further north[5][6].
A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around other plants etc[6], though it can also support itself and grow more like a shrub[4]..
Polymorphic, there are many sub-species[7].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Coastal, lowland and lower montane forests, especially marginal, also in open and rocky places in North South and Stewart Islands[7].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and juicy[8]. Botanically speaking it is actually the swollen flowers that are eaten![K].
Usage: Very salt and wind hardy, it is an excellent plant for clothing wire netting fences in very exposed positions, making a good windbreak hedge[3]. It responds well to trimming and can be grown as a free-standing shrub or hedge[4].
The plant makes an excellent ground cover when it is grown in a sunny position[K].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Shepherd, F. W.. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society, 1974.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.