Cypress Vine

June 16, 2018

I don’t remember the real name of the seeds that I have had for years.  I know it’s supposed to attract hummingbirds. I planted them all in one planter since I was not sure any would come up.  Well a lot did!  Now not sure if I can thin them out and replant some in different containers.  Your thoughts please.  

The plant in question is commonly called cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit).  It is an annual vine in the morning glory family with pretty red flowers which do attract hummingbirds.  I would definitely thin them out and maybe share with friends. Some gardeners find them to be invasive, as they can reseed.  Soil quality is a big factor in how well they come back.

September 19, 2015

Attached is a picture of a sun-loving plant I know as "hummingbird vine" or "cardinal plant". I usually collect seeds from dried flower pods to plant the following year. But this year there are no little black seeds in the pods! I'm not sure what is happening. Suggestions? Thanks.

 The plant in question is commonly called cypress vine or hummingbird vine -  Ipomoea quamoclit. It is actually related to morning glory and is an annual vine, but as you know, typically forms seeds to reseed itself—or you can save seeds to replant.  I think you will have seeds, but everything was a bit later than normal this year. I would suspect you have just missed some as well, since it has been blooming for a while.

May 2010

What shrub would you recommend as a hedge in the Cammack Village area? I'd like to create a living screen to hide a shed & work area in the backyard. The shed sits at the back of the property which is fairly narrow & deep like a rectangle. What vine would you recommend to use for a small arbor which located just out the back door of the house on the same

Is the area shaded where the hedge will be planted? If so here are some good choices: wax myrtle, illicium (Florida anise), cherry laurel and Sweet bay magnolia--this last one is not evergreen. In sunny conditions you can use Little Gem magnolia, one of the hollies- Foster, Yaupon, Lusterleaf, Nelly R. Stevens; or eleagnus. For the vine, you could use a mix: trumpet honeysuckle, clematis, akebia and some annual vines: moon flower morning-glory, cypress vine and hyacinth bean.