Cross Vine. This Southeastern U.S. native vine can put on the most spectacular show of just about any vine in existence. Many do not notice this plant in the wild because it may be flowering in the top of a 100' Tulip Poplar. But grow it on a fence or an arbor and one will be overcome with the preponderance of flowers. Its evergreen leaves are fascinating, with two leaflets and a tendril with adhesive discs in between. During the winter, the foliage will turn a purplish-bronze. The nature of the tendrils gives it the capacity to climb almost any textured surface: brick, stucco, wood or screen wire. The 3" trumpet-shaped flowers are a rusty-orange on the outside with a yellow inner lining and if grown in the sun, they will be produced with such quantity as to totally mask the foliage. Even though this vine is vigorous, it can be easily contained. Because this genus climbs by tendrils with adhesive discs, it can climb almost any textured surface, such as a brick wall or even wood.
Zones 6-9
