Sprawling wirevine
Muehlenbeckia axillaris

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

Muehlenbeckia axillaris is a deciduous Climber growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower in July. 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.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Gravelly and rocky places and open grassland southwards from 38° south in North and South Islands of New Zealand. Scrub and river flats to the sub-alpine zone.

Australia to New Zealand.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and juicy. The fruit is very small, only 3mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

A fast growing ground cover plant for a sunny position but it requires weeding for the first year or so. Once established, it can swamp out small plants.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Requires a well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. Plants are not hardy outside the milder areas of Britain, but given a position sheltered from cold drying winds they tolerate temperatures down to about -15°c. A climbing plant that supports itself by twining around other plants etc. Plants can become invasive, spreading by means of underground shoots. 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. Division in spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover;

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

M. hypogaea. M. nana. Polygonum axillare.