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Though
older books call this Mexican plant, Senecio confusus, I use its
new name to avoid confusion. Its 2.5" to 3" orange to orange-red
flower heads are most abundant when it is hot, but its fall floral display
can be spectacular some years. A perennial vine is one that usually
freezes to the roots each winter and recovers the following spring.
However, the one I have near a southeast-facing limestone wall has not
been killed to the ground for 4 years - neither has the Rangoon Creeper
overhead. It grows best in full sun to at least 6 hours of sun each
day and requires a tree or trellis to climb. Or, it can be allowed
to spill down from above from the top of a retaining wall. Established
plants look best if given a deep watering every two weeks during a dry
summer.
(Feed with 3 to 5 Agriform
21-gram,
2-year fertilizer tablets at the bottom of the hole at planting time.) |