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Waterwise Gardening - a book review

Waterwise Gardening: Everything You Need To Know About Efficient Watering to Grow a Healthy Yard by Richard Restuccia Published by Rizzoli, 2025 I would guess that watering is the major issue that most gardeners grapple with, especially novice gardeners. I know from working at the nursery that the majority of questions and issues we get stem from either watering too much or not watering enough.  Many people in our area have sprinkler systems and I'm sure that can be a good thing if used properly but I feel that they primarily keep the lawns green but fall short for landscape plants. Especially when it comes to trees and larger plants, the timing and amounts are not satisfactory for many plants. I often hear people say that their sprinklers are set to come on every day - yikes! And there are those who did not water because it "rained" when it actually drizzled.  The best thing to do in this situation is to have a xeric garden but that would mean sacrificing favorite plant...
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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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