Petrea Volubilis is one of the most distinct and beautiful of the cultivated climbers. A fast-growing, twining, woody vine or a rounded shrub, this spectacularly flowering plant produces foot-long racemes of magnificent star-like purple flowers (15-30 flowers per raceme) during late spring to early summer. The eye-catching parts of each flower are the 5 narrow petal-like calyx lobes that persist long after the darker purple corollas drop.

Attractive star-like purple flowers of
Petra volubilis

This plant has oblong-elliptic, rough, dark green leaves that are 4 to 9 inches long. The rough texture of the leaves has lent the sometimes common name of sandpaper vine to this evergreen plant. Petrea Volubilis belongs to the family Verbenaceae and originated in Tropical America.

A purple wreath raceme

Petrea Volubilis likes warm and humid conditions, and can be propagated using layering. The seed can also be planted, but, when propagated this way, the plant does not blossom during the first year. This plant needs to be kept moist following layering, and needs to be watered regularly. The vine requires either light shades or full sun for proper growth. It is weather-hardy into the high 30's but loses resistance in colder temperatures. It can, however, withstand heavy drought.

A Purple Wreath Climber at the Talcott Greenhouse

This species bears long spikes of cloudy blue star-like flowers that are extremely effective when massed. These features make the wreath a magnificent flowering vine for pergolas, fences, trellises or porches. Wreaths are also very effective in hanging baskets. Although the wreath has no serious insect or disease problems, it is susceptible to mold, scale, and mealybugs.

You can come to Mount Holyoke College’s Talcott Greenhouse to take a look at this climber currently in bloom in the Cycad House.