Rhodochiton atrosanguineum Purple Bell Vine

I first discovered rhodochiton about 7 years ago when I saw a picture of the unusual flowers of this plant. I bought some seeds and was astonished by the fragile thread-like stems that dangle unusual dark pink and purple flowers. This plant is so lovely that I love growing it and receiving compliments on it exotic beauty. Here is what I do to grow this plant successfully: I buy the seeds in winter and plant them in individual peat pots. I then cover them with clear plastic and grow them on top of a heat mat and place the pots under a grow light. Once the plants have developed their first true leaves I remove the plastic cover and continue growing them under the grow light until the temperatures in my zone 8 garden are warm enough for me to move them outside. I put my plants in hanging pots. This past year I tried bringing in the plants to see if I could keep them going through winter under grow lights. All but one of the plants died, but I do have the one still going. This is a plant worth trying. All of the seeds I purchased from Park this year germinated.

This plant is so delightful and so easy to grow, you really must add it to your collection, and it is rather hard to find as well. Purple Bell Vine readily germinates indoors (70F) in peat pots, and once acclimated outdoors it will quickly grow to climb a trellis or wall. The intriguing flowers are frequently visited by hummingbirds. It will flower its head off all summer until frost. It will definitely spark curiosity from visitors to your summer garden.