Sandpaper vine, Queen's wreath, Purple Wreath or Nilmani

Botanical Name: Petrea volubilis

Native Region/Environment: Tropical Americas: Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay to Venezuela.

Sun/Light: Prefers part to full sun but can tolerate part shade sun.

Temperature: Able to withstand a light frost: USDA Hardiness Zones 9 or 9b-12.

Water: Capable of tolerating drought periods once established.  The vine grows best with less frequent, but deeper watering.

Soil: Well draining, fertile soil is optimal.

Growth Pattern: Very adaptable: naturally grow as a twining and climbing vine makes it ideal for a trellis or pergola, or trimmed into a flowering shrub.  In the absence of a climbing support it naturally grows as a shrub.

In native habitats it is found primarily in riparian habitats, along river banks.

The leaves and vines produce small rough, scales which aid it in climbing.  This does make it a scratchy plant to have near high traffic locations.

Mature Size: Vines may reach 40' length and over time, 3" in thickness, while as a pruned shrub it's maximum height would be 10-12', unless pruned shorter.

Attributes: Best known for its pendant clusters of lilac to violet colored star shaped calyces often mistaken as it's flowers. The flowers themselves are very short lived though that is hardly noticeable as the same color calyces are long lasting on the arching racemes that can be 12 inches long. 

Insufficient water, nutrients or sun will decrease bloom size and frequency.

Attractor: Under ideal growing conditions it may bloom twice per year.  Blooms produce abundant nectar attracting butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

Pot: 4" or 5"