- Botanical name: Rhodochiton atrosanguineus
- Common name: Purple bell vine
- Family: Plantaginaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
A fascinating tender climber from Mexico, Purple bell vine, Rhodochiton atrosanguineus, bears long dangling flowers resembling drop earrings, from midsummer to autumn. Each flower is composed of a long, slender, purple-black tube growing out of a chalice-shaped mauve calyx. The plants are useful for covering trellis or arches, or adding interest to the bare base of other climbers.
Grow Rhodochiton atrosanguineus in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. It’s best grown as an annual in the UK, with new plants easily raised from seed. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
How to grow Rhodochiton atrosanguineus
-
Plant size
3m height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Half hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Rhodochiton atrosanguineus and wildlife
Rhodochiton atrosanguineus has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Rhodochiton atrosanguineus poisonous?
Rhodochiton atrosanguineus has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Rhodochiton atrosanguineus
