Pandorea pandorana
An adaptable plant, wonga wonga vine announces spring with dense clusters of light yellow, tubular flowers at the tips of its twining branches. An evergreen vine native to moist forests of southwestern Melanesian islands and the eastern quarter of Australia, it also tolerates drier soils in another native pocket in central Australia's Outback.
Foliage has two forms: juvenile foliage is fern-like with deep finger-like lobes and matures to long, oval leaflets. From late winter and into spring, tubular, creamy light yellow flowers line the youngest stems of the vines. Each flower has spreading lobes and are spotted and streaked with purple-red in the throat. Sometimes flowering extends into the summertime. Winged seeds are released from the plump, boat-like fruits that follow the blooms.
Grow wonga wonga vine in fertile, moist to dry, well-draining soils in full to partial sun. In hottest climes, provide partial shade. This species tolerates repeated winter frosts quite well. Vigorously growing, support is needed for this large climbing vine. Often it can reach the canopy tops of large trees. Use it as a large vine specimen on a sturdy arbor or allow it to climb into a specimen tree, where the vine's flowers will illuminate the tree canopy. Selection 'Snowbells' blooms in white, 'Golden Showers' display flowers of yellow and bronze. Variegated leaves are a hallmark of 'Charisma'.
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