Here on the Gold Coast[Aus] we are experiencing drought conditions and VERY HOT days and nights,but hot temperatures and dryness seem to bring out the best in some flowering plants Petrea or sandpaper vine. ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) Mandevilla ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) Caladium with flower bud just peeping up ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden )
Is your Petrea vine scented Chocolate? It's beautiful - the blossom reminds me of Wisteria. The Mandevilla and Caladium are lovely too and I can see the bud emerging amongst the colourful foliage foliage. Your plants seem to be thriving in the heat and dry conditions.
Thankyou Eileen, there doesn't seem to be a perfume but it is covered in honey bees,so the nectar must be attractive and sweet. The vine is sometimes referred to as "poorman's wisteria". The leaves are rough like coarse sandpaper hence the other common name "sandpaper vine".
I would love to have one of these vines here and will do a little research on the plant to see if it's at all possible. Anything that is highly attractive to bees is a winner with me as they need all the help they can get.
You are right ... those are pretty! I also love the sandpaper vine...I have never seen one before! I wonder if it would grow here? Off to do some research!
What wonders to see. Heart warming to one from a cool climate. Thanks for sharing. It is comforting to know there is some place warm and dry at the moment where cold spring winds and rain persist.
Love to see your flowers chocolate. I am sorry you are having such a hard time if it. You were in drought conditions last year. Is this the same one or a new one? Did you get normal rains since this time last year?
Our summers are very hot and we are experiencing drought conditions....I need to find a couple of those plants so that something will survive here too. Gorgeous color!!
Good morning and thankyou everyone, we did get regular rains but the ground is so dry,even during winter in this area we need to water a couple of times a week. Humidity is also a killer but obviously many plants love it,that is what we call tropical, but we like it too because the option is cold and snow further south. There are 2 types of petrea plants, one has a single flower which is nice too, I have that one but the plant is not as strong.And then there is a 'later model' which has a double flower, much more lush and vivid,so when research is happening try to obtain the new one.
That is really very beautiful, chocolate. If I put my nose very very close to my screen, and take a deep breath, I can smell it. but, shhh, don't tell anyone, they'll think I'm nuts.
