If you like dainty red flowers on a lacy, fern-like vine, you will love cardinal vine. But watch out; if you plant it in a spot that it likes you may be swept up in its lush growth and loose contact with the outside world until frost. The 2” tubular red flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, as well as to people, so the vine is an asset as the center of fauna activity in a wildlife garden. Like its relative, the morning glory, the flowers open in the morning and close at night, a feature quite interesting to children.. The vine grows rapidly if given decent conditions, and climbs up to 20’ but because it is lacey and delicate it does not hurt most structures, shrubs or trees that it may use for support. It is easy to grow from seed but seeds should be soaked for 24 hours before planting. Once established, it needs little care and tends to reseed so you will not have to buy new plants in future years. Be patient, however, seedlings emerge from the soil late and the vine does not add to the garden until mid summer.
Type: Herbaceous annual vine
Height: 10-20′
Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Late summer
Light:Full sun for best potential; afternoon shade OK in South.
Soil: Average, mediummoist, well drained
USDA Hardiness Zones: Not hardy
Karen Meyers