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| Category: Vine |
| Family: Verbenaceae (Vervains) |
| Origin: New Caledonia (Pacific Ocean) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Sporadic |
| Height: Climbing (Vine) |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F |
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Oxera pulchella (Royal Creeper) - A tender shrubby evergreen vine to 8 to 10 feet tall (or more with support) with woody twining stems that hold oppositely arranged leathery 3 to 5 inch long bright green ovate leaves. Sporadic flowering from late fall through late winter but in good years when happy it can be a VERY attractive plant with clusters of large waxy white 4 lobed 2 inch long trumpet shaped flowers with 2 extended stamens and prominent cream white calyces - in coastal southern California it might blooms once in late summer or fall and again in late winter into spring. The flowers are held somewhat pendant and are lightly scented. Plant in full to part in a well drained amended soil and irrigate regularly for best results. Is pretty tender but can handle brief dips in temperatures down to around 30°F and tolerates near seaside conditions. Prune only during the warmer months of the year. The Royal Creeper comes from the sclerophyll forests in lower elevations of the relatively drier west coast of New Caledonia and is also found growing around the capital city of Nouméa. Though it is not entirely clear, the origin of the name for the genus is thought to come from the Greek word 'oxys', which means "acid" or "acidic", perhaps in reference to the sour taste of the leaves. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin for "beautiful". It was considered to be a prized ornamental after discovery in the late-nineteenth century but is currently not very uncommon, possibly because it is fairly tender and yet does not bloom well in some warmer frost free zones. It seems to do quite well in coastall southrn California but even there it is seldom seen. Interesting too is the fact that it was originally classifed as being in the Verbena family, the Verbenaceae, but is now considered to be included with the sages in the Lamiaceae. We grew this beautiful but tender vine from 1988 until 1995 and our original cuttings were taken from plants growing along a fence near the UCSB Biology Department greenhouses.
The information about Oxera pulchella 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. |
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