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Coral Vine

Coral Vine
Photo: Colin Wilson
Invasive Plant
Coral Vine
Antigonon leptopus
 

A fast-growing, evergreen twining plant that thrives in warm, humid climates. It is capable of strangling the plants it uses for support and, if allowed to escape in bushland, will quickly overcome native flora. Its twining stems or tendrils have been known to reach up to 15 m in length. It has attractive heart-shaped leaves and clusters of pink flowers so it is easy to understand why it has been a popular garden plant.

 

HOW IT SPREADS

  • Coral Vine produces underground tubers (known to be edible) which, when disposed of indiscriminately, will allow its rapid spread through bushland. It also seeds freely and will spread with the aid of birds.
 
 
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Alternative Plants

Bower of Beauty
Photo: BotBln
Alternative Plant Bower of Beauty
Pandorea jasminoides
Climbing and Ground Cover Plants
 

Three of the six species in the genus Pandorea are native to Australia, including P. jasminoides (Bower of Beauty). There are several named varieties of P. jasminoides commonly available in cultivation such as 'Alba' (pure white), 'Lady Di' (white with a creamy-yellow to orange throat) and 'Rosea Superba' (deep pink). Pandoreas are vigorous, hardy twining plants that flower predominantly in spring through to summer.

Bush Yam
Photo: Colin Wilson
Alternative Plant Bush Yam
Ipomoea abrupta (Syn. Convolvulus abrupta)
Climbing and Ground Cover Plants
 

A native of the coastal regions of Northern Australia, Bush Yam is a woody climbing plant that can be quite vigorous in the garden where it receives adequate water and food. Its large, mauve-pink Morning Glory-like flowers, produced freely from November to March, are an important source of nectar for bees, butterflies, small birds, and small reptiles. A vine or two in the garden will ensure regular visitors!

Native Hoya
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Alternative Plant Native Hoya
Hoya australis
Climbing and Ground Cover Plants
 

An Australian climber that is an ideal alternative to Coral Vine in tropical and subtropical regions. Preferring a warm to hot and reasonably humid climate to perform at its best, its thick, almost succulent-like leaves and circular heads of small, star-shaped white to pale pink flowers are very appealing. Like most Hoyas, it is highly perfumed and produces abundant nectar that attracts pollinating insects and birds into the garden.

 
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