Semi Tropical Vine Petrea Volublis Florida Wistera
Lovely graceful semi tropical true vine resembles northern purple wisteria.
Botanical Name Petrea volubilis
Common Name Sandpaper Vine
Mature Size 10’ ft +
Bloom Color Purple
Bloom Period Spring/Fall
Boom Form Raceme
Common Name: Sandpaper Vine, Blue Bird Vine, Florida Wisteria, Queens Wreath
Lovely graceful semi tropical true vine (puts on tendrils that will find and wrap around objects in order to climb). Sandpaper vine is native to Mexico and Central America. This plant was chosen by Florida Nursery & Growers Association as 2003 Plant of the Year. It is very hardy, easy to grow and maintain.
The leaves have olive shades of green and a rough texture (like sandpaper). It blooms with hanging clusters (racemes) of vibrant purple flowers spring and fall and will sometimes bloom sporadically at other times. Flowers last for several weeks. Great for the look of wisteria in warmer climates as the wonderful northern wisterias will not bloom reliably south of zone 8. Botanical literature lists this vine as hardy to zone 9, but in my personal experience it has withstood dips into the upper teens without fatal damage all though it did burn significantly and completely defoliate. I do not believe it would survive the winter planted in ground in zones where the ground freezes, but it can be grown in large containers and wintered over indoors with full spectrum light.
It is a very vigorous hardy grower and will quickly cover a trellis, fence, arbor or other support. The main stem becomes quite hard and woody making it easily trainable into a tree form as well. It is striking when allowed to grow behind and over a support as well, giving the look of hanging boughs of flowers, very romantic and luxurious looking plant.
Plant in fertile well drained soil in full sun or light shade and give it plenty of room. Try to do all pruning and shaping in mid summer so as to not reduce the number of blooms setting for fall.
Click here to check your zone. National Arboretum – USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Please email with any growing or planting questions you might have, emerald@strato.net. Love to hear from you.
Water Drought tolerant
Light Full Sun
USDA Zone 9B & South
Fragrance None
Uses Trellis, Fence, Free Form
Special Features Very Showy
Plant is shipped bare root ball. Root zone is approximately 4″ in diameter. Plant will be a minimum of 6″ to 8″ tall, and will not likely have blooms or buds at the time of shipping.