Purple Wreath – Petrea Volubilis – Sandpaper Vine

Purple wreath plant

The Sandpaper Vine is an absolutely gorgeous tropical vine when in full bloom. It blooms heavily in the spring, but blooms again a few times during the warmer months, older plants bloom more. Although the flowers are short-lived, the secret to their beauty lies in the long-lasting petal-like, violet calyces that persist even after the flowers have fallen. The vine’s rough-textured leaves resemble sandpaper, giving it the common name.

The attractive, huge drooping panicles of long lasting, lavender, star-shaped calyxes that are centered by royal purple 1/2 inch rounded verbena-like flowers. The medium-green leaves are textured like sandpaper. A vigorous, naturally evergreen tropical twining vine that lends itself to use on arbors, large trellises, fences, or on nearly any sturdy structure. Sandpaper Vine can also be trained into a tree form if given a supporting post. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Sandpaper vine

To use the spikes of flowers in arrangements be sure to remove them without including any portion of the woody vine or they will quickly wilt. Queen’s Wreath can be enjoyed as a container plant where not hardy but will need periodic pruning to be kept in bounds and a bright to sunny window for winter. Provide it with a well drained, moderately fertile growing medium.

Petrea Volubilis is a genus of evergreen flowering vines native to tropical Americas, that is valued especially for its display of violet flowers. It is considered to be somewhat drought resistant once well-established but will have the best foliage and likely produce the most flowers under average moisture conditions.