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Distictis laxiflora 'Vanilla Orchid' (Vanilla Trumpet Vine) - This is a moderately fast growing evergreen vine reaching 30 feet tall and wide with compound leaves having three leaflets and showy fragrant lavender flowers that fade to light lavender and then nearly pure white throughout the warm months. It looks a bit like Distictis 'Rivers' but has a slightly more delicate look about it and the blooms fade to white and it has a pleasant vanilla scent lacking on D. 'Rivers'.
Plant in full sun to part shade and water occasionally in the summer. It is hardy to about 25-30 degrees F. If it is well established, it should regenerate from the roots if it freezes down to the ground. A beautiful vine that emits a wonderful fragrance in summer months.
Distictis laxiflora was introduced into cultivation in California by Dr. Francesco Franceschi (AKA Emanuele Orazio Fenzi) in 1908. We originally acquired this beautiful vine in 1986 from Bernard Acquistapace, owner of Pianta Bella Nursery, who propagated it by taking cuttings off of a plant growing in a Montecito estate. We planted it on the pergola when we moved to our new sales office in 1987 and this plant overhangs our office structure to this day (mixed with the related Pithecoctenium crucigerum). For many years we have grown a selected plant from a seedling this plant produced that we called Distictis laxiflora (SMG select form) but were rarely successful with cuttings taken from the original plant. In 2003 a cutting grown plant of it was planted into our greenhouse and from this stock growing in our greenhouse we were able to successfully root cuttings of this wonderful plant that we call Distictis laxiflora ''Vanilla Orchid' to not confuse it with the select seedling form.
Distictis laxiflora is native to southern Mexico and while it has long been known as Distictis laxiflora, the current name listed in the Kew database is Amphilophium laxiflorum. We continue to list this plant as Distictis laxiflora until such time as this name change has wider acceptance.
The information about Distictis laxiflora 'Vanilla Orchid' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
