Beaumontia

(Beaumon'tia)

DESCRIPTION: This is a gorgeous climbing plant that is a native of India. It has a woody stem that's covered with green, leathery leaves. It produces large, white, trumpet-shaped flowers in the spring. This plant grows unrestrained, so a large conservatory or greenhouse is necessary for its cultivation; pots are inadequate.

POTTING: A greenhouse or conservatory needs to have a minimum winter temperature of 55 degrees. They may also be planted outdoors in the far South. A deep, well-drained bed of equal parts of loam, leaf mold and peat is the best for Beaumontias. A 3-foot hole should be dug and drainage should be placed in the bottom and covered with turf, the rest of the hole should be filled up with the compost. Planting should be done in the fall or early spring. Wires should be attached to the walls or roof so that the shoots can have support and climb. Water is given in abundance during the summer, but less is given in winter. The soil, however, should not become too dry because it will seriously injure the plant. The side shoots should be shortened by two-thirds after the flowers die.

PROPAGATION: Young shoots can be inserted in sand or sandy soil in the spring. Place them in a closed propagating case until they form roots. They can then be potted individually, in 5- or 6-inch pots and, subsequently, in their permanent positions.

VARIETIES: B. grandiflora.

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