Maidenhair Vine
Muehlenbeckia complexa
Family: Polygonaceae
What it is like
Muehlenbeckia complexa is a deciduous Climber growing to 5 m (16ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 5
Where it is found
Coastal, lowland and lower montane forests, especially marginal, also in open and rocky places in North South and Stewart Islands.
New Zealand.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and juicy. Botanically speaking it is actually the swollen flowers that are eaten!.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
Very salt and wind hardy, it is an excellent plant for clothing wire netting fences in very exposed positions, making a good windbreak hedge. It responds well to trimming and can be grown as a free-standing shrub or hedge. The plant makes an excellent ground cover when it is grown in a sunny position.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
Requires a well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. Very tolerant of maritime exposure. This species is hardy to about -5°c. It does not withstand hard frosts, growing very well in south-western Britain but being killed back to the ground by severe frosts at Kew and further north. A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around other plants etc, though it can also support itself and grow more like a shrub.. Polymorphic, there are many sub-species. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in autumn and overwinter in a cold frame. High percentage. Plant out in late spring. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 5 - 10cm with a heel, October/November in a cold frame. High percentage.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover; Hedge;
Habit: Climber
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist