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Scarlet Creeper Ipomoea coccinea

Phonetic Spelling
eye-poh-MEE-ah kok-SIN-ee-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The Scarlet Creeper is an annual, flowering, herbaceous vine in the morning glory family.  It is native to Mexico and the eastern and central United States (although its status as a US native plant is questioned by some authorities) and is typically found along streambanks, roadsides, fields, and thickets. It is a fast growing, attractive plant with heart-shaped (occasionally lobed) leaves and bright red flowers with a yellow throat. It does have a reputation for escaping from cultivation into moist soil and waste places and has been found as far north as Massachusetts and Michigan.

Scarlet Creeper does best in full sun or partial shade, tolerates average to poor soil, and is drought tolerant. It is an aggressive climber on fences or trellis and, left to its own devices, will spread in the garden. To plant, nick the hard seed coat and soak overnight before planting.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No major pest or disease problems of note; however the plant can reseed readily in warmer climates and may become problematic if the seedlings are left unchecked.

More information on Ipomoea.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#stream banks#thickets#pollinator plant#food source fall#food source nectar#Coastal FAC#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#vine#butterfly friendly#nectar plant late summer#FACU Piedmont Mountains#nectar plant early fall#nectar plant mid-fall#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#food source winter#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#stream banks#thickets#pollinator plant#food source fall#food source nectar#Coastal FAC#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#vine#butterfly friendly#nectar plant late summer#FACU Piedmont Mountains#nectar plant early fall#nectar plant mid-fall#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#Audubon#food source winter#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ipomoea
    Species:
    coccinea
    Family:
    Convolvulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico, Eastern and Central United States
    Wildlife Value:
    Scarlet creeper is a food source for songbirds and hummingbirds. Flowers provide nectar to pollinators from August until the first frost. Attracts butterflies.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Tendrils
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Light brown fruit displays from September to December.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Small number of red flowers, often with a yellow throat, bloom from August to frost in a short cluster at the end of long axillary peduncles.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are 2 to 4 inches long and half as wide, broadly ovate and deeply cordate at base; margin entire or sometimes coarsely toothed or angularly lobed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Rock Wall
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, large amounts of seeds may cause hallucinations
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Indole alkaloids (Lysergic acid, lysergamide, elymoclavine and chanoclavine)
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No