Ipomoea x multifida
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- eye-poh-MEE-a mul-TIH-fid-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Cardinal creeper is a hybrid of Ipomoea coccinea and Ipomoea quamoclit. Both parents are native to Central and South America and are in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). It took years to develop, but in 1908, a plant grew that produced seeds that sowed true. The hybrid name multifida means "highly divided", in reference to the dissected foliage.
It is an annual twining vine that prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun for best blooming. Mature vines can grow up to 10 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Start seeds indoors and scarify and soak them for better germination. They can be slow to germinate. In warmer climates, it will readily reseed.
The bright red trumpet-shaped flowers with a yellow or white throat occur singly or in small clusters, attract hummingbirds and bees and appear from mid-summer to frost. The fine foliage is deeply lobed and 3 inches long.
It can be trained as a vine, used as ground cover, or grown in containers and hanging baskets.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ipomoea
- Species:
- x multifida
- Family:
- Convolvulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and South America
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Oval capsule starts out green and dries to papery brown with 2 to 4 seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Five fused petals forming a trumpet shape; bright red with white or yellow throats. Flowers are 1 inch across and bloom mid summer to fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Deeply lobed green leaves areup to 3 inches long and 2 inches wide and have 3 to 7 pairs of lobes with a wider terminal lobe.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green twining stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
