Petrea volubilis (Queen's wreath, Sandpaper Vine)
Posted: October 12th, 2013, 5:19 am
| Botanical Name | Petrea volubilis |
| Family | Verbenaceae |
| Genus | Petrea |
| Specie | volubilis |
| Local Name in Urdu | Does not exist |
| Common Name | Queen's wreath, sandpaper vine |
| Life Cycle | Evergreen in Karachi/ Lahore |
| Cultivar Name | Petrea volubilis var. alba is a white version of the same flower |
| Fragrant or Not | No fragrance at all |
| Category(Bush/Vine/Tree) | An evergreen twining climber |
| Height | can reach up to 20 ft if allowed to grow |
| Spacing | Grown as a solitary plant |
| Flowering Months | Summer time, also blooms in late winter |
| Flower Color | Bicolor, a light purple set of petals and a dark purple set |
| Growing Areas | Known to grow very well in Karachi and Lahore |
| Frost Tender | Will not tolerate frost |
| Exposure | Full sun |
| Soil pH | No specific issues known |
| Propagation | air layering |
| Uses | Ornamental vine |
| Other Details | Queen's wreath is one of the most beautiful bushy climbers on Earth (hence the common name Queen's wreath) - unfortunately it is not very well known in Pakistan! Light and dark purple clusters of flowers on deep green leaves look highly attractive. The name sandpaper vine comes from the fact the leaf surface is very rough, exactly like sand-paper or "raig maal, in Urdu". This vine climbs by twining around anything it find on its way, thus we should provide a robust support. It should also be grown far away from trees for the same reason. Petrea is often attacked by aphids and mealy bugs. Keep an eye on these unwanted pests. Caution: Leaves may scrape skin during pruning |
Image courtesy: M. Khabbab (Specimen growing in Lahore)
