Family: Bignoniaceae

Native to Australia, Malaysia and New Caledonia, this small genus of evergreen, twining climbers was named after the Pandora of Greek mythology. Grown for their beautiful, bell-shaped flowers and glossy, pinnate leaves, most species are fairly easy to cultivate and make excellent trellis plants. Except in warm climates, grow in an intermediate greenhouse or conservatory.

Species

P. doratoxylon is a shrubby climber found in most of the states of Australia, with large clusters of yellow flowers from late winter to late summer.

P. jasminoides, bower plant, is a lovely species from a coastal rainforest habitat. The white, trumpet-shaped flowers, with deep red throats, appear from spring to summer. Cultivar 'Alba' has larger, pure white flowers; 'Rosea' has large, pinkish red flowers, with purple throats.

P. pandorana, wongawonga vine, is a robust climber which has dense, terminal sprays of white to yellow flowers with red to purple spots and stripes inside the throat. There are various forms, including the beautiful 'Snowbells', which produces masses of pure white flowers. The fruits are flattened capsules, containing numerous seeds which ripen to brown.

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in a large pot of soil-based potting compost. Provide good light, but shade from direct, strong sun. Give regular water in the growing season but reduce considerably in winter. Prune after flowering to keep plant within allotted space. Outdoors grow in full sun with moist yet well-drained soil. Propagate from seeds in spring or from semi-ripe cuttings in summer, both in a heated propagating case (or carry out layering in spring).

Climate

Warmest parts of zone 10 to tropical.