Sandpaper Vine - Queen's Wreath

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.