The Snail Vine

Imagine a flower resembling a twisted arrangement of twirls and springs and corkscrews; add to this colour shades of whites, shell pink, lavender and primrose; throw in a scent similar to Chinese Jasmine or Magnolia and you would probably come up with something from ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

Fortunately there is no need to hunt for a rabbit hole, visit us at Garden World and ask for Vigna Caracalla – the Snail Vine. This evergreen creeper enjoys a warm garden where the winter temperatures do not go below freezing.

The plant is however, very resilient and even after a harsh winter will sprout new green growth from undamaged vines. Mulching of the soil around the roots through the cold months will help to keep the roots warm and new shoots will emerge if the top growth has been badly affected. With a well-drained soil, rich in compost and a full sun position, your snail vine will perform in a completely opposite way to its name sake. This is a fast growing plant, light enough to weave over an arch and quick enough to cover large blank walls. Although not ‘self-clinging’, the tendrils will be able to use rough surfaces, trellis and any frame work as a support.

Maintenance as far as shaping and pruning is concerned should happen after the plant has bloomed or after you have harvested any seeds you may need. Cut back on the old or dead vines and reshape to suit the arch or pergola and position errant growth to cover an empty or sparse area of the walls. This will now allow for the new growth in spring, space and light to send out many fresh vines and eventually the prolific flowering display.

Keep your vine regularly watered and feed with an organic 3.1.5 every six to eight weeks, beginning in early spring and through the flowering season to the end of summer.

Planted in a spot where you can enjoy the exceptional perfume and colours, this is a variety well suited for a fragrance garden; a romantic garden; for over that arch into your rose bed or through a pergola leading you to a bench in a quiet corner of the garden.

For any information and general gardening questions contact Louis at Garden World or visit us on Beyers Naudé Drive in Muldersdrift.

Join us on face book with the handy link on our website.

Louis d’ Hotman

General Manager

Tel: 011 957 2046

Fax: 011 957 3214

GPS: S 26° 02.560’ E 27° 53.164’

E-mail: louis@gardenworld.co.za

Website: www.gardenworld.co.za