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A Visit to Cistus Nursery

I rarely go to nurseries anymore since I work part-time at one and another reason being that I don't have much room for additional plants. When a garden fanatic runs out of room, the brain goes into overdrive, dreaming up ingenious ways to incorporate more plants. And another thing happens - a burning desire to obtain rare and unique plants. I've been moving plants around, a tricky process that has a domino effect. A plant is unhappy - it is getting too much shade or perhaps too much sun. There is a plant that did not get as large as you thought it would or it is just a slow grower and now it is hopelessly hidden behind a taller plant. Sometimes a plant is just a dud for reasons unknown (Rhododendron 'Golden Gate' anyone?). I find the plant in question a better home, but it means that another plant will have to be moved. And the merry-go-round continues to turn... However, for those plants that are to be discarded, a space opens up for a new one! I decided to move a Mou...
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Manettia (Firecracker vine)



{{{ Thanks to Marnie of Lilacs and Roses, the mystery is solved - it is Manettia (Firecracker Vine) - thanks Marnie!}}}

I am hoping a knowledgeable visitor can identify this vine. This is a very special plant to me. It was given to me by my great-aunt who passed away last Saturday and ironically, it first bloomed this past week. I saw it in her garden years ago and it was smothered with orange-red tubular blooms. She gave me a piece of it this spring and it is growing very fast.

She had a remarkable garden with a huge border of perennials and a large collection of daylilies. Her daughter is still caring for the garden and she tells me that a garden group is coming next spring to see it. I will have to do a post about her garden in the future.

Back to the vine - the blooms look similar to honeysuckle but unlike that vine, the shoots are not woody. The blooms are tubular and long, sure to be a delight with the hummingbirds, and are dark orange-red color. My aunt grew it on a rustic tripod which was about 4 feet high. I'm growing mine on a mini-trellis that is about six feet tall.
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  1. Roses and LilacsSeptember 26, 2008 at 11:51 AM

    I'm gonna guess your vine is Manittia or fire cracker vine. Look at the photo on this site and see what you think. Sorry I don't know hos to do a link on a comment.
    Marnie

    http://www.landcraftenvironment.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LANDCRAFT&Category_Code=888

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  2. Roses and LilacsSeptember 26, 2008 at 11:54 AM

    Apparently I don't know how to spell very well either. ManEttia and the 'hos' should have been hoW.
    M

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 26, 2008 at 1:03 PM

    How nice to have this lovely mystery vine to remember your aunt. I have no idea what it is. It must be a vine that grows south of where I live.

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  4. Phillip OliverSeptember 26, 2008 at 1:50 PM

    Marnie, I think you are right! Thank you so much. Ah, the wonders of the Internet!

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  5. F CameronSeptember 26, 2008 at 3:00 PM

    I recently saw this vine in the home garden of the director of the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. A beautiful vine! I've always thought it was fire cracker, too. Cameron

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  6. CosmoSeptember 26, 2008 at 4:52 PM

    I'm sorry to hear about your aunt, Phillip--but how wonderful that the vine will carry her memory. I'm glad Marnie ID'd it so quickly.

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  7. AnonymousSeptember 26, 2008 at 5:48 PM

    Lovely little vine and esp. nice that it came from a relative. Those are always my favorites.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  8. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2008 at 4:20 AM

    Hi Phillip, such a wonderful plant for the hummers and humans. I love that your aunt's garden is being lovingly maintained as well as a part of it living on in your garden.

    I have changed my font size, for the last time I hope, do come check it out and let me know if it is better for you. Thanks.

    Frances
    http://fairegarden.wordpress.com/

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  9. SkeeterSeptember 27, 2008 at 5:42 AM

    Sorry about your aunt but happy that you will keep her memory with you through this beautiful vine!

    The buds resemble a Trumpet Vine bud before they open up. At the link by Marnie, I see they dont open up quite as large as the Trumpet though. I bet the hummingbirds do enjoy this bright red flower!

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  10. Digital Flower PicturesSeptember 27, 2008 at 7:45 AM

    Sorry to hear about your loss.

    You will this vine. We have to take it in each winter.

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  11. GailOctober 1, 2008 at 12:23 PM

    Phillip, That is a lovely story and a very good looking flowering vine. Aren't we lucky to have such good garden friends to help us out when we get stumped! Much more fun then the encyclopedia!

    gail

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