This tropical vine bloom with showy multicolored flowers tardy in the summer .
Spanish flagis a tropic vine in themorning glorygenus but its showy heyday look quite different . The vasiform , irregularly shaped flush start out red and fade to orange and butter yellow , give them a multicolored effect . The blossom forge upright clusters on slender , bend radical . The vine is prized for its foresighted flush period from mid- to late summer until frost and for its rapid development . It easily scrambles 18 feet or more in two calendar month , which makes it perfect for quickly cloaking a arbour or providing shadowiness on an mandril . In its native home ground in Mexico , it is a perennial but because it is frost - tender , Spanish flag is typically grown as anannual .
Spanish sword lily is toxic to humans and pets .
Where to Plant Spanish Flag
pick out a location in full sun that is sheltered from strong winds . The dirt should be well - run out but in full term of pH , Spanish flag is adaptable to more or less acidulent to somewhat alkaline conditions .
The vine needs space and support to grow vertically . Plant it near the radix of a fence , pergola , arbor , or treillage . Spanish flag is a best-loved solid food source of hummingbird , bees , and butterflies and by implant near a porch , deck , or terrace , you ’ll get the chance to delight them up closely .
Pair Spanish masthead with the bold textures , eye - pop colors , and pick up olfactory property of othertropical landscape painting flora .
How and When to Plant Spanish Flag
Spanish flag is seldom available as potted glasshouse plants so it ’s best grown from come . The flora is dull to set out and normally does not start blooming until August so it is recommended tostart the seeds indoors6 to 8 weeks before the last average bound freeze day of the month in your area , which will give you a headway start on the grow season .
When industrial plant are ready to move alfresco and frost is no longer likely , dig out a hole or so the size of the plant container . bump off the plant life from the corporation and set it in the hole . Backfill with stain and tamp it down softly . body of water well and continue to keep soil systematically moist until the plant is established .
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart .
Spanish Flag Care Tips
This tropical vine requires only minimal basic care .
Light
Plant Spanish flagstone in a location where it receive at least 8 hours of bright sunlight every twenty-four hours . While the vine tolerates some shade , it will only expand infull Dominicus .
Soil and Water
The dirt for Spanish flag should be consistently moist but well - drained and fertile in organic subject . The plant will be fine in apHbetween 6.0 and 8.0 .
In the absence seizure of rainfall , give it about 1 in of water per hebdomad , and more in hot , dry weather condition . Spanish iris can withstand dry conditions but it will affect its bloom .
Temperature and Humidity
The vine needs a frost - free climate . At temperatures below 40 degrees F , it suffers cold scathe .
Fertilizer
While Spanish signal flag boom in rich soil , excessnitrogen from a commercial-grade fertilizerhas detrimental effects , leading to mostly foliage growth and no flowers . Instead of adding fertilizer , it is better to integrate a 2 - inch level of compost in the soil before establish .
Pruning
If the vine gets too dense , prune it to improve the air flow . Cut it back rather in dry atmospheric condition to prevent the spread of fungal disease .
Potting and Repotting Spanish Flag
Spanish flag can be grown in a large container , at least 12 inches in diameter . If you already have a support in place , fill the container with potting soil in its last position , which economize you from hauling around a intemperate pot . If you are plan to support the plant in good order in its pot , it must be mystifying and large enough to drop anchor atrellisor stakes in the pot . Pick a container that is made of a heavy material ( candy ceramic or terra - cotta ) , so it does not tumble over . Also , verify the container has large drain holes . To give the container more weight and constancy , describe it with a layer of pebble or small rocks at the bottom before satiate it with well - drain potting mix .
Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering and fertilizer than inground plants .
Because Spanish flag is mature as an annual , it wo n’t call for repotting during its single growing season .
Pests and Problems
Spanish flag is not move by serious pests or diseases . The deficiency of air circulation in combination with dense foliation is a education basis for fungal disease .
How to Propagate Spanish Flag
Spanish masthead is spread from seed . Start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last intermediate outflow frost day of the month in your area . Like its tight comparative dawn glorification , Spanish flagstone germ have a tough tabu level . Break through their toilsome coat by nick them , then soak them in warm water supply for 12 to 24 hours . Have 4 - inch weed filled with damp potting mix quick and engraft a duet of semen in each , ¼ to ½ in abstruse . Keep the soil evenly moist . The needs need a room temperature of at least 65 to 70 degrees F to germinate . Germination may take up to 3 weeks .
Once the seedling emerge , only keep the strongest seedling in each pot and prune the others off at the soil level . allow a solid light reservoir and temper off the seedlings after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warm to at least 65 stage .
Spanish Flag Companion Plants
Canna
An easy - to - turn tuberous works with large leaves and sheer bloom , cannaadds texture to a garden , whether arise in a container or planted straight off in the landscape . In cool mood , canna are degraded - growingplants that are treated as yearly to fulfil a space with color speedily . In warm climate , they create dense stands of luxuriant foliage and vibrant bloom throughout the summer , year after year . They prefer moist soil and gay conditions , although it stick out partial shade . Zone 7 - 10
Crocosmia
The graceful arching stems ofcrocosmiaunfurl their ardent red , orange , and yellow blossom in midsummer and fall , similar to Spanish signal flag . In Zone 6 or above , crocosmia come back every twelvemonth . In all other climates , crocosmia is grow as an yearbook . Zone 6 - 10
Dahlia
Grown for their beautiful bloom , dahliascome in all colors except the elusive blue . The plants are hardy in ardent regions but in colder areas , just grind up their big , tuberous root in the tumble and replant them in the bounce . Zone 8 - 10
Lantana
Whenlantanablooms , it really puts on a show with clusters of blossom in a rainbow of colors : purple , red , orangish , white , pink , or yellow . The plant tolerates some of the hottest , driest spots in your yard . Like Spanish pin , it also attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees . Plant in full sunshine and well - debilitate soil . Zone 8 - 11
Frequently Asked Questions
Spanish fleur-de-lis come back every year in Zone 10 and 11 but it wo n’t survive hoar . That ’s why it is mostly grown as an one-year and replanted every year .
The name comes from the way the yellow and redblossoms are dress alongside one side of the floral branch , resemble the interior sword lily of Spain .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Morning Glory . ASPCA .
Ipomea lobata . North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension .
