Queen's wreath

Appearance

The showy parts of each flower are the 5 narrow petal-like calyx lobes which persist long after the darker purple corollas drop. Oblong-elliptic, dark green leaves (4-9” long) are rough above, hence the sometimes common name of sandpaper vine. In its native habitat, this plant can grow rapidly to 25-40’, but in cultivation is more often seen as a much smaller vine or trained as an espalier or standard. The genus name honors Robert Petre, 18th century English botany patron.

Naming

Synonyms:
Petrea kahautiana C. Presl., Petrea arborea Kunth., Petrea aspera Turcz.

Common Names:
Queen’s wreath, Petrea, purple wreath, sandpaper vine, bluebird vine

Distribution

Native Range: Central America and Lesser Antilles

Uses

Spectacular flowering vine for pergolas, fences, trellises or porches. Train as a standard. Also effective in hanging baskets.